Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) was first discovered in 1970 by Sami Said and Viktor Mutt at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. They were studying the effects of a pancreatic extract on blood pressure in dogs when they noticed that the extract also caused a dramatic relaxation of the blood vessels in the intestines.
Said and Mutt purified the active ingredient from the extract and identified it as a new peptide hormone. They named it vasoactive intestinal polypeptide because of its effects on blood vessels and the intestines.
In the years since its discovery, VIP has been shown to have a wide range of biological effects, including:
- Relaxing smooth muscle in the blood vessels, airways, and digestive tract
- Stimulating the secretion of water and electrolytes from the pancreas and intestines
- Inhibiting gastric acid secretion
- Stimulating the release of hormones from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus
- Regulating immune function
VIP is produced by specialized cells in the digestive system, nervous system, and other tissues throughout the body. It is released into the bloodstream in response to a variety of stimuli, including food intake, nerve stimulation, hormonal signals, and inflammation.
VIP plays a role in a variety of physiological processes, including digestion, circulation, respiration, reproduction, and immune function. It is also associated with a number of diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, and cancer.
History of VIP research
Since its discovery in 1970, VIP has been the subject of extensive research. Researchers have investigated its role in a variety of physiological processes and diseases.
Some of the key milestones in VIP research include:
- 1973: Said and Mutt determine the amino acid sequence of VIP.
- 1975: VIP is first synthesized in the laboratory.
- 1976: VIP is shown to stimulate the release of hormones from the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.
- 1977: VIP is shown to regulate immune function.
- 1980: VIP is shown to be elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
- 1985: VIP is shown to be elevated in patients with chronic pancreatitis.
- 1990: VIP is shown to be elevated in some types of cancer.
Current research on VIP
VIP is still an active area of research. Researchers are continuing to investigate its role in health and disease.
Some of the current areas of focus in VIP research include:
- Developing new drugs that target VIP receptors
- Investigating the role of VIP in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
- Developing new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, and cancer that target VIP
VIP is a versatile and important peptide hormone with a wide range of biological effects. It is still an active area of research, and researchers are continuing to learn more about its role in health and disease.
VIP has the potential to be a target for new drugs to treat a variety of diseases. However, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and develop safe and effective drugs that target VIP receptors.
