CNS-endocrine pancreas system. II. Response of dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerves to insulin deficiency.

Sensitivity of the vagal dorsal nucleus nerve cells to insulin deficiency was revealed in alloxan-diabetic rats by karyometry. Control measurements showed absence of similar changes in cell nuclear sizes of the adjoining area, the Nucltractus solitarii. The results provide evidence in favour of a selective response of the dorsal nucleus of the vagus nerves to insulin deficiency and allow assumption that not only the peripheral vagus but the central component of this cholinergic system contribute to endocrine pancreas control. It is suggested that the medial basal hypothalamus and the system of the vagus are links of a single control mechanism regulating endocrine pancreas and represented at different levels of the central and peripheral nervous system.