Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide
Definition
Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a substance found throughout the body, but the highest levels normally occur in the nervous system and gut. VIP has many functions: - It helps control or send nerve signals
- It helps relax certain muscles along the gastrointestinal tract
- It increases the amount of water and electrolytes released from the pancreas and gut
- It triggers the release of hormones from the pancreas, gut, and hypothalamus
- It helps breakdown fat and glycogen
- It stimulates bile flow
- It blocks gastrin and gastric acid secretion
A blood test can be done to find out how much VIP you have in your blood.
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