vasoactive intestinal peptide

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a naturally occurring 28-amino-acid neuropeptide hormone belonging to the glucagon/secretin superfamily. It is widely distributed in the body, including the gut, pancreas, central and peripheral nervous systems. VIP acts primarily through two class B G protein-coupled receptors—VPAC1 and VPAC2—to mediate diverse physiological effects such as vasodilation, smooth muscle relaxation (notably in the gastrointestinal tract), stimulation of water and electrolyte secretion from exocrine glands (pancreas and bile), inhibition of gastric acid secretion, modulation of immune responses via anti-inflammatory actions, enhancement of glucose-dependent insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells, promotion of β-cell proliferation, neuroprotection in the CNS, regulation of circadian rhythms via action on suprachiasmatic nuclei neurons in the brain, and cardiovascular effects including coronary vasodilation[4][5][6][8]. Synthetic forms like Aviptadil have been developed for clinical use.

Other names

vasoactive intestinal polypeptideVIP