Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) is a molecule composed of 28 naturally occurring amino acids in the human body. Although you might think the name means it acts mainly on the intestines, VIP actually influences many additional body systems. VIP acts as a type of chemical messenger that helps coordinates smooth muscle activity, inflammation, gut transit, immune system activity, lung and nerve responses, and blood vessel tension. Given that VIP is involved in multiple systems simultaneously, it is of great interest to scientists studying how the body’s cells signal each other to “relax,” “calm down,” or “keep things moving”.
Approximately 3323–3326 g/mol, depending on salt form and analytical source.