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Apelin is a recently isolated novel endogenous ligand for the angiotensin-like 1 receptor (APJ). Initial experiments in animal models indicate that the cardiovascular system is the main target of the apelin-APJ system. Apelin plays an opposite role to the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as a compensatory mechanism. It is reduced in patients with heart failure, also of ischemic origin. However, only animal studies concern the role of the apelin-APJ system in myocardial ischemia. Less is known about the function of this adipokine in an acute phase of myocardial infarction in human. The apelin-APJ system could perhaps be involved in myocardial protection during acute myocardial ischemia. In the current review we have summarized recent data concerning the role of apelin in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure induced by ischemia., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: We aimed to assess apelin-novel endogenous ligand for the angiotensin-like 1 receptor in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and to compare its value with B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)., Methods: In 78 consecutive patients with first STEMI treated with primary PCI, plasma apelin-36 (RIA) and BNP (MEIA) concentrations were measured twice: on admission and on the fifth day of hospitalization. Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was assessed on admission and composite endpoint (CEP)-after 1 year follow-up., Results: During the 5-day interval median plasma BNP level significantly increased and median plasma apelin concentration significantly decreased. BNP, but not apelin, correlated with low LVEF (<50%). In ROC analysis only BNP measurements were diagnostic for low LVEF. In ANOVA test, in patients with CEP, a significant decrease in apelin (but not BNP) concentrations measured in 5-day interval was found. ROC analysis identified only second BNP measurement as significant to estimate adverse outcome 0.627 in the prediction of CEP (95% confidence interval=0.507-0.736)., Conclusion: Following STEMI there is a decrease of plasma apelin-36 concentration and an increase of plasma BNP concentration. BNP is better, than apelin diagnostic value for the detection of impaired LVEF. Both BNP and apelin have prognostic value, although both needs further evaluation., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)