Research progress in vagus nerve stimulation for the intervention of osteoarthritis. - GreenMedInfo Summary

Osteoarthritis (OA) represents one of the most prevalent forms of chronic joint disease. Although conventional therapeutic strategies offer symptomatic relief to a certain extent, their efficacy and applicability are constrained by notable limitations and deficiencies. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), emerging as a novel therapeutic modality, has garnered increasing attention due to its operational simplicity, demonstrated efficacy, and independence from geographical constraints. Accumulating evidence indicates that VNS modulates the autonomic nervous system, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the polarization of macrophages toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype, ultimately alleviating OA symptoms. However, controversies persist regarding optimal stimulation parameters, potential adverse effects, and the overall therapeutic efficacy of VNS. This review summarizes current research advances and unresolved challenges concerning the application of VNS in OA management. Furthermore, it elucidates the underlying mechanisms by which vagus nerve intervention mitigates OA pathology, providing a reference for future research directions in this field.