A 60-year-old woman is admitted to the hospital with a fever and severe diarrhea for the last 24 hours. Cultures of blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, and stool are all negative for pathogens. The profile of gut hormones reveals elevated levels of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). An analogue of which of the following would most likely lower her VIP levels?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Somatostatin is a hormone that inhibits the release of several other hormones, including vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). An analogue of somatostatin would likely lower VIP levels.  Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) is a neurotransmitter in the brain and in the parasympathetic nerves of the digestive tract. It also acts as a hormone. VIP has a secretin-like effect on the pancreas. It increases the volume of water and bicarbonate output and affects GI blood flow and motility. All this contributes to severe secretory diarrhea in the case of VIP overproduction. Somatostatin is the best choice because it has a broad range of inhibitory effects, inhibiting GI secretions, slowing GI motility, and reducing splanchnic blood flow.

A 60-Year-Old Woman Is Admitted to the Hospital with a Fever