Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and gastrin-releasing peptide attenuate hepatic microvasculatory disturbances following intestinal ischemia and reperfusion.

Background/aims: In addition to the primarily affected small bowel, intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (IIR) also leads to a marked decrease in hepatic microcirculation. The aim was to determine the potentially protective effect of the vasoactive hormones vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) on hepatic microcirculation following IIR.

Methods: Using a rat model, three animal groups were subjected to 40 min of intestinal ischemia, two of which were infused with either VIP or GRP (n = 12 each).