Apelin Effects on Blood Pressure and RAS in DOCA-Salt-Induced Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Apelin, a novel multifunctional peptide implicated in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, including blood pressure and cardiac function control, has been postulated to be involved in the pathophysiology of hypertension and hypertensive heart disease. The aim of this study was to investigate, for the first time, whether the effects of apelin's chronic application might be involved in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertensive rats (DOCA-salt rats). In this study, 8-10-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, control + apelin, DOCA-salt rats, DOCA-salt rats + apelin. Deoxycorticosterone Acetate (25 mg/kg of body weight) was injected subcutaneously, twice a week for 4 weeks. These rats received NaCl 1% instead of tap water for drinking during the experimental period. Later, rats were randomly treated with pyroglutamylated apelin-13 (200 μg. kg(-1). day(-1) intraperitonealy) for 17 days. The concentrations of apelin, endothelin-1, angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen, and angiotensin II were analyzed in the plasma. The mRNA level of apelin and apelin receptor were determined in the heart and aorta tissue by real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. It was found that apelin reduces blood pressure in DOCA-salt rats. Apelin can be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of hypertension in the future.

The effects of apelin treatment on a rat model of type 2 diabetes

“…But blood pressure has decreased despite the high level of ET-1 in the C + A [32,33]. In addition, the blood pressure was observed to be not changed despite the high levels of plasma ACE2, ANG II and ET-1 in D group.…”

“…Nagano et al [38] indicated that apelin treatment in mice affects blood pressure in cases where blood pressure that is relatively low under normal conditions becomes elevated under the pathological conditions [38]. In addition, in the study performed by Akcılar et al [32], the authors found that intraperitoneal administration of apelin reduces blood pressure in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. In this study and previous studies on blood pressure, the dose and type of administration of apelin differ leading to the differences in the results.…”

Adipokines and cardiovascular disease: A comprehensive review

“…Apelin administration to rats with deoxycorticosterone induced hypertension led to a blood pressure decrease by inhibiting the RAAS system 76 . Despite a number of unanswered questions the therapeutic potential of apelin appears to be significant, particularly in the treatment of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.…”

Apelin/APJ system: a promising therapy target for hypertension

“…Akcilar et al [42] conduct a study for the first time discovered that apelin chronic application could reduce BP in deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt-induced hypertension rats (DOCA-salt). Increased AVP secretion, an antidiuretic hormone, is a key physiological response to hyperosmotic stress and may be part mechanism of high-salt diets induce or exacerbate hypertension.…”