Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation Improves Visceral Hypersensitivity in Constipation-predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Mice: Roles of Gut Microbiota Involved

Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a noninvasive stimulation method, which may contribute to similar effects as VNS invasively applied. Accordingly, the purposes of the current study were: 1) to establish and validate IBS-C mice models; 2) to investigate the effects of taVNS on visceral sensitivity, intestinal propulsion and fecal weight in IBS-C mice; and 3) to explore potential mechanisms involving gut microbiota.