Effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on isolated perfused rat kidney. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, a polypeptide neurotransmitter, stimulates salt secretion by the mammalian intestine and the rectal gland of the dogfish shark. Because of the recent identification of vasoactive intestinal peptide in renal nerves, the present study was undertaken to investigate its effects on the isolated perfused rat kidney. The addition of vasoactive intestinal peptide to the recirculating perfusate produced a significant increase in urine volume, fractional excretion of sodium, chloride, and potassium, as well as osmolar clearance when compared with control kidneys. These changes associated with addition of vasoactive intestinal peptide occurred without any significant changes in perfusion flow, renal vascular resistance, or inulin clearance. These experiments strongly suggest an action of vasoactive intestinal peptide on renal tubular reabsorption. Published in The American journal of physiology (1985)