Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)
| Category | Biochemistry >> Endocrinology |
|---|---|
| Test background |
VIP is a naturally occurring 28 amino acid hormone produced by the pancreatic islet α-cells. VIP is an inhibitory neuropeptide found in intrinsic neural elements throughout the gastrointestinal tract, from the oesophagus to the rectum, and also in the salivary glands and pancreas. In the rare pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (NET) called VIPoma, VIP is secreted in excess. Therefore, plasma VIP measurements can be used in the biochemical diagnosis of VIPoma. VIP is measured as part of the Gut Hormone profile. |
| Clinical Indications |
Suspected gastrinoma/somatostatinoma or Zollinger-Ellison syndrome: hypergastrinaemia, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, steatorrhoea, mixed endocrinopathy VIPoma: watery diarrhoea, hypokalaemia, achlorhydria, hypotension and flushing/vasodilation Glucagonoma: hyperglycaemia refractory to insulin, skin lesions, diarrhoea and stomatitis |
| Reference range | 0-30 pmol/L |
| Sample & container required | See Gut Hormones |
| Sample volume | See Gut Hormones |
| Turnaround time | 3 weeks |