Vasoactive intestinal peptide inhibits degranulation and changes granular content of mast cells: a potential therapeutic strategy in controlling septic shock

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.