RT Journal
A1 Hunt S, Vaamonde CA, Rattassi T, Berian M, Said SI, Papper S
T1 CIrculating levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in liver disease
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 1979
FD September 1
VO 139
IS 9
SP 994
OP 996
DO 10.1001/archinte.1979.03630460034013
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinte.1979.03630460034013
AB In animals, the effects of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) include peripheral vasodilation, hyperdynamic circulation, hyperglycemia, and hyperventilation. Because these phenomena are noted in patients with cirrhosis, it has been postulated that VIP might be escaping hepatic inactivation and entering the systemic circulatory system and contributing to these abnormalities. The major purpose of this study is to establish whether or not VIP levels are elevated in patients with cirrhosis. Additional goals are to determine if VIP levels are elevated in acute liver disease and in chronic illnesses with secondary liver involvement. The data demonstrate that patients with cirrhosis and those with acute liver disease or chronic illnesses with secondary hepatic involvement have a wide range of VIP levels with mean values significantly above that of normal individuals and patients with chronic illness and no liver involvement.(Arch Intern Med 139:994-996, 1979)