Relationship among VIP plasma levels, esophageal dysfunction and microcirculation in systemic sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that esophageal dysmotility occurring in systemic sclerosis might be caused by neurotransmitter levels decrease. The aim of the present study is to value VIP plasma levels, and to relate them with the pressure of the inferior esophageal sphincter (IES) and the capillaroscopy score in a group of patients affected by Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Eleven subjects affected by SSc (eight male and three female, age from 30 to 72 years old) have been studied through esophageal manometry, capillaroscopy and VIP plasma levels evaluation. Fifteen healthy volunteers, as control group, have been enlisted. RESULTS: Our results show a decrease of VIP plasma levels in patients with SSc compared with control group. The difference between two groups has statistical significance (p < 0.01). Capillaroscopy has shown remarkable microcirculatory impairment and the esophageal manometry proved a decreased IES pressure. The scores of capillaroscopy, VIP plasma levels and pressures of IES have been compared and it has been observed that there is a relationship between VIP plasma level and pressure of IES. CONCLUSIONS: VIP plasma levels decrease enhances the role of the autonomic disorder in SSc and may contribute to produce the alteration of vascular tone as well as the gastroenteric musculature dysfunction.