Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is liberated as part of the immune
response to antigenic challenge, carcinogenesis, and radiation therapy. Pre
vious studies have implicated elevated circulating levels of this cytokine
in the gastric hypomotility associated with these disease states. Our earli
er studies suggest that a site of action of TNF-alpha may be within the med
ullary dorsal vagal complex. In this study, we describe the role of TNF-alp
ha as a neuromodulator affecting neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tra
ct that are involved in vago-vagal reflex control of gastric motility. The
results presented herein suggest that TNF-alpha may induce a persistent gas
tric stasis by functioning as a hormone that modulates intrinsic vago-vagal
reflex pathways during illness.