Related Experiment Videos
[Relationship among VIP plasma levels, esophageal dysfunction, and microcirculation in systemic sclerosis]
1Dipartimento Scienze Cliniche, Università degli Studi La Sapienza, Roma.
Minerva Medica
|February 28, 2001
Summary
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) levels are decreased in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, correlating with lower esophageal sphincter pressure and microcirculatory impairment. This suggests VIP
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Rheumatology
- Neuroendocrinology
Context:
- Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is associated with esophageal dysmotility.
- Neurotransmitter alterations are implicated in SSc pathophysiology.
- Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a key neurotransmitter affecting smooth muscle function.
Purpose:
- To investigate VIP plasma levels in SSc patients.
- To correlate VIP levels with inferior esophageal sphincter (IES) pressure.
- To examine the relationship between VIP levels and capillaroscopy scores in SSc.
Summary:
- SSc patients exhibited significantly lower VIP plasma levels compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01).
- Esophageal manometry revealed decreased IES pressure in SSc patients.
- Capillaroscopy indicated significant microcirculatory impairment in the SSc group.
- A positive correlation was observed between VIP plasma levels and IES pressure.
Impact:
- Reduced VIP levels in SSc may contribute to autonomic dysfunction.
- VIP deficiency could play a role in vascular tone alterations.
- This finding may explain gastrointestinal musculature dysfunction in SSc.