Main functions
- "1.Potent Anti-Inflammatory and Immunomodulatory Effects: VIP exerts broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting macrophage functions (phagocytosis, respiratory burst, chemotaxis), suppressing T-cell proliferation, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-12), and upregulating the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. It has shown therapeutic potential in autoimmune disease models including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn's disease.
- 2.Cardiovascular Regulation: VIP is a potent vasodilator that dilates coronary and cerebral arteries, increases heart rate, and enhances myocardial contractility. In clinical studies of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, inhaled VIP reduced pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance while increasing cardiac output.
- 3.Respiratory Applications: As an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC) nervous system, VIP exhibits potent bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory effects, showing therapeutic potential in chronic lung diseases such as asthma, COPD, and sarcoidosis. A clinical trial in moderate asthma patients confirmed the rapid bronchodilatory effect of inhaled VIP analogues.
- 4.Gastrointestinal Regulation: VIP regulates smooth muscle activity, epithelial secretion, and blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract, and stimulates intestinal fluid secretion. Mechanical stimulation of the gastrointestinal mucosa triggers VIP release, mediating local vasodilatory responses.
- 5.Neuroprotection: In the central nervous system, VIP exerts neurotrophic effects, influences learning and behavior, and has demonstrated protective effects in neuroinflammatory models such as Parkinson's disease.
- 6.Osteoarticular Protection: Studies suggest that VIP may exert protective effects in osteoarthritis by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and modulating cartilage destruction and remodeling. In collagen-induced arthritis models, VIP reduced anti-type II collagen autoantibody titers.
- 7.Clinical Translation Applications: VIP has achieved clinical outcomes in the treatment of erectile dysfunction (as part of the Invicorp combination therapy), pulmonary arterial hypertension, and sarcoidosis. However, its ultrashort plasma half-life (only minutes after intravenous administration) has historically limited clinical adoption; long-acting analogues and novel delivery systems (e.g., inhaled formulations, nasal sprays, liposomal preparations) are currently key development directions."