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

Purpose: Apelin is an adipokine that plays a role in the regulation of many biological functions in mammals including the neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, immune systems, glucose homeostasis and obesity. It can act via autocrine, paracrine, endocrine, and exocrine signaling. We aimed to identify the role of apelin pathophysiology of diabetes. Material/methods: 37 male Wistar Albino rats aged 8-10 weeks were divided in four experimental groups as: control group (C) control + apelin group (C + A), diabetic group (D) diabetic + apelin group (D + A). Apelin and apelin receptor mRNA gene expressions in heart and aorta tissue were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The plasma levels of insulin and plasma apelin were determined by ELISA. Results: Plasma levels of insulin, glucose, blood pressure levels were significantly lower in D + A group. There was no statistically significant difference for level of apelin between diabetic groups. On the other hand, differences for apelin and APJ mRNA expression in heart and vascular tissue were found significant between groups. Conclusions: Apelin can be used as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of type II diabetes in the future. (C) 2014 Medical University of Bialystok. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.