Abstract
Apelin is an endogenous ligand of the human orphan receptor APJ. We detected apelin-like immunoreactivity in the adipocytes, gastric mucosa, and Kupffer cells in the liver. We also detected apelin-like immunoreactivity localized within the endothelia of small arteries in various organs. Further, it was found that mean arterial pressure after the administration of apelin-12, apelin-13, and apelin-36 at a dose of 10 nmol/kg in anaesthetized rats was reduced by 26+/-5, 11+/-4, and 5+/-4 mm Hg, respectively. In the presence of a nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, the effect of apelin-12 on blood pressure was abolished. Furthermore, the administration of apelin-12 (10 nmol/kg) in rats produced a transitory elevation of the plasma nitrite/nitrate concentration from a basal level of 21.4+/-1.6 to 27.0+/-1.5 microM. Thus, apelin may lower blood pressure via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage*
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Antihypertensive Agents / chemical synthesis
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Apelin
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Apelin Receptors
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Blood Pressure / drug effects*
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Carrier Proteins / administration & dosage
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Carrier Proteins / chemical synthesis
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Carrier Proteins / physiology*
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Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
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Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
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In Vitro Techniques
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Injections, Intraperitoneal
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Injections, Intravenous
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Ligands
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Male
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NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / administration & dosage
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NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / pharmacology
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Nitrates / blood
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Nitric Oxide / blood
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Nitric Oxide / physiology*
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Nitrites / blood
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Organ Specificity
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Peptides / administration & dosage
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Peptides / chemical synthesis
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Peptides / physiology*
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Rats
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Rats, Wistar
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Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled*
Substances
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APLNR protein, human
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Antihypertensive Agents
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Apelin
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Apelin Receptors
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Apln protein, rat
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Aplnr protein, rat
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Carrier Proteins
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Enzyme Inhibitors
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Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
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Ligands
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Nitrates
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Nitrites
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Peptides
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Receptors, Dopamine D2
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Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
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Nitric Oxide
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Nitric Oxide Synthase
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
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Nos3 protein, rat
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NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester