VIP-SSM increases recovery after DSS colitis insult by improving body weight in a therapeutic model of DSS colitis. (A) Experimental study design. (B) Body weight of mice during the study, vertical dotted line indicates switching from DSS to tap water. On day 8 indicated by arrowhead, all groups received a single 100 μL intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 1 mM SSM (control, DSS), 0.25 nmol of VIP in 1 mM SSM (VIP-SSM, DSS + VIP-SSM), or 0.25 nmol of VIP in saline (DSS + VIP). Values represent mean ± SEM, n = 5, *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.0005, ****p < 0.0001 vs control; #p < 0.05 vs DSS, DSS +VIP.