Significance of serum VIP and PACAP in multiple sclerosis: an exploratory case–control study

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system. Vasoactive and intestinal peptide (VIP) and pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) are neuropeptides that play roles in anti-inflammation and neuroprotection in MS. In this study, we aimed to determine the serum levels of VIP and PACAP in MS patients versus healthy controls and to correlate them with demographics and clinical characteristics. Methods Serum samples were collected from MS patients ( n = 145) and healthy controls ( n = 73) to measure serum levels VIP and PACAP. Results VIP serum levels were lower in MS patients than healthy controls ( p