About VIP
Pleiotropic neuropeptide binding VPAC1/VPAC2 receptors; suppresses neuroinflammation, regulates circadian rhythm via SCN, modulates immune response
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system that acts through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to regulate neuroinflammation, circadian timing, immune modulation, and neurotransmitter release. VIP exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production in activated microglia and macrophages, and has been proposed as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory conditions including Alzheimer's disease, given its ability to shift microglial activation toward neuroprotective phenotypes. In vitro studies demonstrate that VIP significantly reduces inflammatory injury markers in microglial models exposed to neurotoxic stimuli, and preclinical data support VPAC receptor signaling as a mechanism for maintaining cognitive function under inflammatory conditions. VIP has no standalone FDA approval for neurological indications; research into exogenous VIP administration for neuroinflammatory and cognitive applications remains in early preclinical stages with no human clinical trials completed. VIP peptide therapy: CIRS, POTS, and mast cell contexts VIP has attracted clinical research interest beyond classical neurological applications. In the context of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS) — a condition proposed to arise from dysregulated innate immune response following biotoxin exposure — VIP nasal spray (Aviptadil) was included in the Shoemaker Protocol for its proposed ability to reduce neuroinflammatory cytokine activity and restore VIP deficiency observed in some CIRS patient cohorts. Published research by Shoemaker and colleagues documents VIP receptor abnormalities in CIRS, and observational data suggests intranasal VIP administration may partially restore inflammatory markers in this population; this work has not been replicated in large randomised controlled trials and remains within specialist functional medicine contexts. VIP and pulmonary/vascular research: Aviptadil (synthetic VIP) received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and was studied in COVID-19-related acute lung injury for its ability to reduce cytokine storm and preserve alveolar epithelial cells via VPAC1 receptor activation. Phase 2 data showed improvements in respiratory outcomes vs placebo in COVID-19 ARDS, though Phase 3 data was mixed. VIP is also proposed as a therapeutic target in pulmonary arterial hypertension given its vasodilatory and anti-proliferative effects on pulmonary vasculature. Injectable VIP for pulmonary vascular applications and intranasal VIP for neuroinflammatory conditions represent the most clinically developed research tracks for this compound.
VIP Benefits & Research Areas
Research Signals
Commonly researched in the context of
Population research notes
These signals reflect research interest areas, not treatment indications.
Regulatory & Evidence
Risk Profile
Moderate risk profile in research contexts. Review contraindications and administration guidelines before use.
Regulatory Status
- Availability Status
- Research Only
- FDA Status
- Not Evaluated
Endogenous 28-aa neuropeptide. No FDA-approved product. Inhaled VIP studied in Phase 2 for pulmonary arterial hypertension (Santhera); program not advanced. No NDA filed. Research use only.
Regulatory status reflects publicly available information and may change. This is not legal or medical advice.
Research Sources
7 sources cited · 2 strong · 5 moderate
2 Meta-analysis · 3 Cohorts · 1 Review · 1 In vitro
Associations of TyG-related indices with NAFLD-related outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine (Baltimore) · 2026
# Summary Research found that higher triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index levels were significantly associated with increased odds of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatic steatosis across multiple studies. This meta-analysis demonstrated that composite indices combining TyG with anthropometric measures, such as TyG-body mass index and TyG-waist circumference, also showed positive associations with NAFLD-related outcomes.
Prediction models for postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BMC Psychiatry · 2026
# Summary Research found that existing prediction models for postpartum post-traumatic stress disorder demonstrate preliminary predictive capability (with validated logistic regression models achieving an average area under the curve of 0.86), but are significantly limited by methodological issues including high risk of bias and inadequate external validation. This study demonstrated that future development of these models requires adherence to rigorous reporting standards and external validation across diverse populations to ensure clinical applicability.
Unveiling metabolic mechanism of aroma-active compounds during yogurt fermentation through volatilomics, sensomics, and untargeted metabolomics analysis.
J Dairy Sci · 2026
# Summary Research found that seven key aroma-active compounds in yogurt (including acetic acid, hexanoic acid, and 2,3-pentanedione) accumulate during fermentation through specific metabolic pathways, with pyruvate, citrate, malate, and other hub metabolites serving as central nodes controlling volatile flavor formation. This study demonstrated that understanding these interconnected metabolic networks provides potential targets for rationally engineering yogurt flavor profiles.
Show 4 more sources ↓
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, electronic tongue, and electronic nose characterization of mozzarella cheese flavor characteristics based on Moringa oleifera seed rennet.
J Dairy Sci · 2026
# Summary Research found that mozzarella cheese produced with Moringa oleifera seed rennet demonstrated distinctive sensory qualities, with elevated levels of sweet and umami free amino acids (particularly leucine and phenylalanine) and odor-active compounds like esters and ethyl lactate contributing to its unique flavor profile. This study demonstrated that the flavor characteristics resulted from integrated regulation of proteolysis, lipolysis, and volatile synthesis, providing a scientific foundation for the application of this plant-based rennet in cheese production.
Textural Modification, In Vitro Digestion, and Identification of Volatile Flavor Compounds in Flavored Puffed Bean Products.
J Food Sci · 2026
# Summary Research found that nine volatile flavor compounds with variable importance in projection (VIP) values exceeding 1 were identified as key flavor compounds in flavored puffed bean products using HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis. This study demonstrated that texture-enhancing treatments effectively preserved these characteristic flavor compounds and inhibited flavor degradation during storage.
PACAP and VIP Mitigate Rotenone-Induced Inflammation in BV-2 Microglial Cells
Journal of Molecular Neuroscience · 2022
Research in BV-2 microglial cells treated with the pesticide rotenone found that co-treatment with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) prevented rotenone-induced increases in nitric oxide, CD11b, MMP-9, and IL-6, demonstrating that VIP suppresses pro-inflammatory microglial activation in a model of Parkinson's disease-relevant neuroinflammation and may have neuroprotective therapeutic value.
Neuropeptides and Microglial Activation in Inflammation, Pain, and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Mediators of Inflammation · 2017
This review summarizes evidence that neuropeptides including VIP modulate microglial activation and inflammatory responses in the CNS, with VIP and related peptides attenuating pro-inflammatory cytokine release, reducing chronic pain-related neuroimmune activity, and emerging as candidate therapeutic targets for neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.
VIP Side Effects & Safety Considerations
Moderate risk profile. Review all reported considerations carefully before use.
Reported contraindications & considerations
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health decisions. This information is educational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Where to Buy VIP — Providers & Availability
20 providersTelehealth Platforms
1 providerClinics
7 providersCompounding Pharmacies (503A)
1 providerOnline Vendors
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Questions to Ask Your Provider
Frequently Asked Questions — VIP
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a 28-amino-acid neuropeptide widely expressed in the central and peripheral nervous system that acts through VPAC1 and VPAC2 receptors to regulate neuroinflammation, circadian timing, immune modulation, and neurotransmitter release. VIP exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine production in activated microglia and macrophages, and has been proposed as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory conditions including Alzheimer's disease, given its ability to shift microglial activation toward neuroprotective phenotypes.
neuroprotection, anti-inflammatory (CNS), CIRS treatment, circadian rhythm regulation.
Research on VIP primarily documents effects related to neuroprotection and anti-inflammatory (CNS) and CIRS treatment and circadian rhythm regulation. These are areas covered in preclinical and clinical literature — individual response varies and effects depend on context of use.
Reported contraindications and considerations for VIP include low blood pressure, vasoactive drug interactions. This is educational information only — consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
20 providers in the directory currently offer VIP.
# Summary Research found that higher triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index levels were significantly associated with increased odds of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and hepatic steatosis across multiple studies. This meta-analysis demonstrated that composite indices combining TyG with anthropometric measures, such as TyG-body mass index and TyG-waist circumference, also showed positive associations with NAFLD-related outcomes.