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Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit: a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases

Frontiers of Medicine volume 6, pages 35–40 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Inflammation is important in the pathogenesis and development of cardiovascular diseases. Recent studies show that vagus nerve stimulation inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokine production through “the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,” more specifically via the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR). In the current study, the role of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway during septic shock, hypertension, and myocardial infarction is reviewed, and its possible clinical implications in cardiovascular diseases are discussed.

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  1. Department of Pharmacology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China

    Chong Liu & Dingfeng Su

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  1. Chong Liu
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  2. Dingfeng Su
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Correspondence to Dingfeng Su.

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Liu, C., Su, D. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α7 subunit: a novel therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. Front. Med. 6, 35–40 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-012-0171-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-012-0171-0

Keywords

  • α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • baroreflex sensitivity