VIP- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a hormone and neuropeptide that has many functions in the body, including:
Digestion: Controls the secretion of water, salts, enzymes, and gastric acid
Smooth muscles: Relaxes smooth muscles in the digestive tract, heart, and blood vessels
Immune system and central nervous system: Affects the immune system and central nervous system
Blood flow: Regulates blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract
Epithelial cell secretion: Regulates epithelial cell secretion
Antimicrobial activity: Has activity against a range of microorganisms from skin, oral, respiratory, and gastrointestinal tract sites
Hormone release: Triggers the release of hormones from the pancreas, gut, and hypothalamus
Water and electrolyte secretion: Increases the amount of water and electrolytes secreted from the pancreas and gut
VIP is found in the pancreas, intestine, and central nervous system. It’s a peptide of 28 amino acid residues that belongs to the glucagon/secretin superfamily.
Certain tumors in the pancreas produce large amounts of VIP, which can cause severe watery secretory diarrhea. This condition is called VIPoma syndrome and can result in hypokalemia and metabolic acidosis.
VIP appears to have a very low incidence of side effects, which are usually mild and easy to treat. Some reported side effects