Stimulation of nerves innervating the pancreas of a dog

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of electrical stimulation of nerves innervating the pancreas on the function of the cardiovascular system, lungs and urinary tract, measured as an ECG, blood pressure and pressure in the bladder of a dog. Spiral cuffs with 33 electrodes (1.0 x 2.0 mm) within a silicone sheet were manufactured and implanted in a Beagle dog in the vagus nerve, in the splanchnic nerve and in the pancreatic nerve. Each nerve was stimulated individually with biphasic, rectangular and current pulses (10 mA, 200 [my]s, 20 Hz). When stimuli were 10 mA or higher, measurable changes were observed during stimulation of both the vagus and the splanchnic nerves. In the splanchnic nerve, they were expressed as an increase in pressure in the bladder and as a tremor of the whole stomach. In the vagus nerve, they were expressed as a drastic decrease of arterial blood pressure and as abnormalities in the heart rate. In a further increase of stimuli to about 18 mA, the heart rate was slowed until it ceased as fatal brachicardia, asystolia and consequently hypotensia was occured.