Figure 3. Specific inverse relationship between the resting parasympathetic vagal tone and TNF-alpha plasma level in CD patients.

CD patients with low parasympathetic vagal tone exhibit a higher level of TNF-alpha than those with high parasympathetic vagal tone. This inverse relationship was not observed in controls or IBS patients. Data are expressed as mean ± sem. Comparisons are made between the high and low parasympathetic level subgroups using permutations test.