The novel peptide apelin lowers blood pressure via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism

Regul Pept. 2001 Jun 15;99(2-3):87-92. doi: 10.1016/s0167-0115(01)00236-1.

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

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antihypertensive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antihypertensive Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Apelin
  • Apelin Receptors
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Carrier Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Carrier Proteins / chemical synthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Male
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / administration & dosage
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / pharmacology
  • Nitrates / blood
  • Nitric Oxide / blood
  • Nitric Oxide / physiology*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Nitrites / blood
  • Organ Specificity
  • Peptides / administration & dosage
  • Peptides / chemical synthesis
  • Peptides / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2 / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled*

Substances

  • APLNR protein, human
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Apelin
  • Apelin Receptors
  • Apln protein, rat
  • Aplnr protein, rat
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Ligands
  • Nitrates
  • Nitrites
  • Peptides
  • Receptors, Dopamine D2
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
  • Nos3 protein, rat
  • NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester