Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), Plasma

Test ID: 

706836

CPT code:

84586

Synonyms:

Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide (VIP), Plasma

Clinical Use:

Hypersecretion of VIP is observed in “pancreatic cholera syndrome,” Verner-Morrison syndrome or the watery diarrhea-hypokalemia-hypochlorhydria (WDHH) syndrome. It is characterized by hypermotility, watery diarrhea syndromes with hypokalemia and hypochlorhydria, dehydration and weakness; these symptoms can be reproduced by VIP. VIP can be secreted by pancreatic or ectopic islet cell tumors, and in islet-cell hyperplasia.

Test Information:

Other features of some cases of VIPoma have included hypercalcemia, flushing, and glucose intolerance. A study of islet cell tumors in patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) included vasoactive intestinal polypeptide tumor (VIPoma) as well as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and insulinoma. A VIP-producing tumor causing the pancreatic cholera syndrome was reported as a well differentiated mucinous adenocarcinoma which contained cells reactive for pancreatic peptide and VIP on immunocytochemistry. Normal levels of VIP have been reported in ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, cirrhosis, ascites, and diabetes.

Specimen Type:

Plasma with Trasylol®, frozen

Requested Volume: 

2 mL

Minimum Volume: 

0.4 mL

Container Type: 

Lavender-top (EDTA) tube

Patient Preparation: 

Patient must not have received radioactive substances 24 hours prior to test. Patient should receive at least 300 grams of carbohydrate daily for three days before fasting 12 hours.

Collection:

Trasylol® kits may be ordered through the PeopleSoft system. Using a chilled 6-mL lavender-top (EDTA) tube taken from the kit, collect a whole blood specimen. Mix the specimen several times by inverting the EDTA collection tube. After removing the cap from the EDTA draw tube, take one of the sterile, Beral pipettes (from under the gray foam), and add 0.25 mL Trasylol® to the EDTA tube. Recap the EDTA tube and invert several times to mix well. Centrifuge the EDTA tube to separate the plasma from the cells, and immediately transfer the plasma into one of the brown screw-cap transfer tubes provided in the kit. There should be a “Trasylol® Added” label affixed to the brown transfer tubes. Cap and freeze the labeled transfer tube containing the EDTA plasma with Trasylol® added. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple test on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.

Storage Instructions:

Freeze.

Rejection Criteria

Sample not collected with Trasylol®; sample not submitted in tube with Trasylol label, gross hemolysis; recently administered radioisotopes; specimen not received frozen; serum, sodium citrate, or heparinized plasma specimen; lipemia