Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibits degranulation and changes granular content of mast cells: a potential therapeutic strategy in controlling septic shock
N. Tuncel et al., Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibits degranulation and changes granular content of mast cells: a potential therapeutic strategy in controlling septic shock, PEPTIDES, 21(1), 2000, pp. 81-89
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) has potent protective activity against
sepsis and increases the survival rate of septic rats and mice. The present
study was planned to evaluate the effect of VIP on mast cell activity, his
tamine and methylhistamine levels and oxidative stress in the liver and kid
neys of septic rats. The effect of VIP was compared to that of nitric oxide
synthesis inhibition, previously tested extensively in septic shock models
, with doubtful benefit. The present study showed that endotoxic shock did
not lead to oxidative stress in either liver or kidney of the rats. On the
other hand, mast cells, based on their location, displayed functional heter
ogeneity to the septic insults. VIP possibly modulated the specific reactio
ns of the tissues to mediators released from mast cells during septic shock
. The most prominent effect of VIP as compared to nitric oxide synthesis in
hibition was related to mast cells. In conclusion, the prevention of mast c
ell reactivity by VIP could be a potential therapeutic strategy in controll
ing septic shock. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.