Research shows that VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide) can help to reduce inflammation throughout the body, but that it is particularly useful in the setting of neurodegenerative disease, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cardiac fibrosis. The peptide appears to be highly effective in a number of fibrotic pathways and may offer treatment benefits in the common process of fibrosis that leads to so much morbidity and mortality.
In addition to its antifibrotic effects, which appear to be mediated through anti-inflammatory actions, VIP is also a potent immune system regulator and general anti-inflammatory. The peptide has also been shown to protect the central nervous system against insult and is of active interest for its ability to preserve cognitive function in the setting of neurodegenerative disease.