Receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide on isolated human sweat glands.

Human sweat gland function is predominantly under cholinergic control. Sweat secretion may also be regulated by Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP), which coexists with acetylcholine in nerves to sweat gland acini and ducts. We have examined the expression of VIP receptors on isolated human eccrine sweat glands. Two classes of specific binding sites for VIP were demonstrated: one with high affinity (Kd = 0.58-2.4 nM), and another with low affinity (Kd = 175-288 nM). The data suggest a physiological regulatory role for VIP in sweat gland function.