VIP
VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide)
Research Hub — Aggregated Studies
MedTech Research Group aggregates published research from peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials, and academic institutions. We do not conduct original research. All studies cited below are the work of their respective authors and institutions. Sources are linked for verification.
This product is designated FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY (RUO). These compounds have not been approved or cleared under 21 U.S.C. § 505 and have not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, efficacy, or labeling for clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic use in humans or animals.
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Purchaser Restrictions
- Purchaser must be a qualified researcher at an accredited institution or licensed research facility
- This product may not be sold or redistributed to individual consumers, wellness clinics, health food stores, or retail establishments
- Not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnostic use, or therapeutic application
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Distribution is limited to qualified research use in compliance with applicable federal and state law. These products bear the "For Research Use Only" designation per FDA labeling requirements (minimum 10 pt. font). Ref: 21 U.S.C. § 505; FD&C Act § 201(p) (unapproved new drug definition).
| Risk Tier | YELLOW |
| Category | Vasoactive |
| Subcategory | Vasodilation / Anti-Inflammatory / Neuroprotective |
| Pharmacological Class | Peptide Hormone |
| Subclass | VPAC1/VPAC2 Receptor Agonist (Secretin-Glucagon Superfamily) |
| Molecular Type | Endogenous Neuropeptide (28 amino acids) |
| Origin | Endogenous — originally isolated from porcine small intestine (Said and Mutt, 1970); widely distributed throughout the body (gut, brain, lung, heart, immune cells) |
| Regulatory Status | Research Use Only. Not FDA-approved. Investigational for pulmonary arterial hypertension, CIRS/mold illness, and sarcoidosis. Aviptadil (VIP analog) has been studied in clinical trials. |
| Route of Administration | Subcutaneous injection, intravenous, intranasal (research) |
| Reconstitution | Lyophilized powder; reconstitute with bacteriostatic water |
| Storage | Refrigerate (2-8°C) |
Description
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide belonging to the secretin-glucagon-PACAP superfamily. Despite its name (derived from its initial isolation from intestinal tissue), VIP is one of the most widely distributed neuropeptides in the body, functioning as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator throughout the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and immune system. It acts through two G-protein coupled receptors: VPAC1 (widely expressed, predominant in immune cells, liver, and lung) and VPAC2 (predominant in CNS, pancreas, and smooth muscle), both of which are Gs-coupled and signal through cAMP/PKA activation.
VIP's physiological roles are remarkably diverse: (1) Vasodilation — VIP is one of the most potent endogenous vasodilators, causing relaxation of vascular, airway, and GI smooth muscle through direct smooth muscle relaxation and endothelial nitric oxide release; (2) Anti-inflammatory — VIP suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-12) by macrophages and dendritic cells, promotes regulatory T-cell differentiation, and shifts immune responses from Th1 (inflammatory) to Th2 (regulatory) predominance; (3) Neuroprotective — VIP promotes neuronal survival through BDNF and activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNP) expression, protects against excitotoxicity, and supports synaptic plasticity; (4) Pulmonary surfactant regulation — VIP stimulates surfactant production by type II pneumocytes; (5) Secretory — VIP stimulates water and electrolyte secretion in the gut, pancreas, and bile ducts.
VIP has gained particular clinical attention in the context of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), a complex multi-system illness associated with biotoxin exposure (most commonly mold/water-damaged buildings). Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker's CIRS protocol identifies VIP deficiency as a characteristic finding in CIRS patients and includes intranasal VIP replacement as the final step of the treatment protocol, after upstream inflammatory markers have been addressed. In CIRS, VIP supplementation is reported to restore pulmonary function (improving pulmonary artery pressures), reduce inflammatory markers (TGF-β1, C4a, MMP-9), improve cognitive function, and reduce cytokine-mediated symptoms.
Clinical Context
VIP is clinically significant across multiple domains: CIRS/mold illness treatment (Shoemaker protocol), pulmonary arterial hypertension (where its vasodilatory effects reduce pulmonary pressures), inflammatory and autoimmune conditions (anti-inflammatory immunomodulation), and neurodegenerative disease research. Aviptadil, a synthetic VIP analog, has been studied in clinical trials for pulmonary arterial hypertension and was investigated (ZYESAMI) for COVID-19 ARDS. The cost ($63.30/10mg) reflects the larger peptide size (28 AA) and the specialized clinical applications.
- Multiple routes studied: subcutaneous, intravenous, intranasal — the Shoemaker CIRS protocol uses intranasal VIP
- Potent vasodilator — may cause hypotension, particularly in volume-depleted or hemodynamically unstable patients
- In CIRS protocols, VIP is the LAST step — do not administer VIP until upstream inflammatory markers (TGF-beta1, C4a, MMP-9, VEGF) have been addressed; premature VIP use may be ineffective or counterproductive
- VIPoma (VIP-secreting tumor) causes watery diarrhea, hypokalemia, and achlorhydria (WDHA syndrome) — illustrates the potent secretory effects of excess VIP
- Short half-life (approximately 1-2 minutes IV) — frequent dosing or alternative routes (intranasal, sustained-release) are needed
- Anti-inflammatory effects may suppress beneficial immune responses — use with caution in patients with active infections
- Larger peptide (28 AA) = higher production cost ($63.30/10mg)
- Monitor blood pressure during initial dosing — vasodilatory hypotension is the most common acute side effect
Research data sourced from UniProt. CC BY 4.0 — attribution required.
MedTech Research Group provides these references for informational purposes. We do not conduct original research. All studies are the work of their respective authors and institutions.
Biological Function
VIP is a neuropeptide involved in a diverse array of physiological processes through activating the PACAP subfamily of class B1 G protein-coupled receptors: VIP receptor 1 (VPR1) and VIP receptor 2 (VPR2) (PubMed:1318039, PubMed:36385145, PubMed:8933357). Abundantly expressed throughout the CNS and peripheral nervous systems where they primarily exert neuroprotective and immune modulatory roles (PubMed:3456568). Also causes vasodilation, lowers arterial blood pressure, stimulates myocardial contractility, increases glycogenolysis and relaxes the smooth muscle of trachea, stomach and gall bladder (PubMed:15013843)
Subcellular Location
Secreted
Amino acid sequence length: 170 residues
Published Research
Published Research & Clinical Data
Peer-reviewed studies and clinical trial data related to VIP
All research below is conducted by independent institutions. MedTech Research Group provides these references for informational purposes only.
Research citations are being compiled for this compound.
Check back soon — our team is curating peer-reviewed sources.
12 Registered Clinical Trials
Research data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
MedTech Research Group provides these references for informational purposes. We do not conduct original research. All studies are the work of their respective authors and institutions.
12
Total Trials
0
Recruiting
0
Active
8
Completed
Sponsor: PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Completed: 2019-08-08
Sponsor: Danish Headache Center · Completed: 2020-09-15
Sponsor: Danish Headache Center · Completed: 2004-06
Sponsor: PhaseBio Pharmaceuticals Inc. · Completed: 2020-12-02
Sponsor: Danish Headache Center · Completed: 2005-09
Research Library — 42,610 Papers
Research data sourced from OpenAlex. CC0 public domain. Articles are the work of their respective authors.
MedTech Research Group provides these references for informational purposes. We do not conduct original research. All studies are the work of their respective authors and institutions.
Surviving sepsis campaign: international guidelines for management of sepsis and septic shock 2021
Laura Evans, Andrew Rhodes, Waleed Alhazzani, et al. · Intensive Care Medicine
Research by Laura Evans et al., published in Intensive Care Medicine. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
Liver fibrosis
Ramón Bataller, David A. Brenner · Journal of Clinical Investigation
Research by Ramón Bataller et al., published in Journal of Clinical Investigation. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Adult Critically Ill Patient
Stephen A. McClave, Beth Taylor, Robert G. Martindale, et al. · Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition
Research by Stephen A. McClave et al., published in Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), endorsed by the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT)
Authors/Task Force Members, Nazzareno Galiè, Marius M. Hoeper, et al. · European Heart Journal
Research by Authors/Task Force Members et al., published in European Heart Journal. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
Physiology of Microglia
Helmut Kettenmann, Uwe‐Karsten Hanisch, Mami Noda, et al. · Physiological Reviews
Research by Helmut Kettenmann et al., published in Physiological Reviews. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
2022 ESC/ERS Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension
Marc Humbert, Gábor Kovács, Marius M. Hoeper, et al. · European Heart Journal
Research by Marc Humbert et al., published in European Heart Journal. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
Principles of interleukin (IL)-6-type cytokine signalling and its regulation
Peter C. Heinrich, Iris Behrmann, Serge Haan, et al. · Biochemical Journal
Research by Peter C. Heinrich et al., published in Biochemical Journal. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
EASL Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of patients with decompensated cirrhosis
Paolo Angeli, Mauro Bernardi, Càndid Villanueva, et al. · Journal of Hepatology
Research by Paolo Angeli et al., published in Journal of Hepatology. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
Diagnosis, evaluation, and management of acute kidney injury: a KDIGO summary (Part 1)
John A. Kellum, Norbert Lameire, for the KDIGO AKI Guideline Work Group · Critical Care
Research by John A. Kellum et al., published in Critical Care. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.
The blood-brain barrier: Bottleneck in brain drug development
William M. Pardridge · NeuroRx
Research by William M. Pardridge, published in NeuroRx. Not conducted by MedTech Research Group.