The Association of Plasma Apelin Levels with Plaque Vulnerability.

Objectives: Apelin is a recently discovered peptide that is expressed in many tissues particularly in the cardiovascular system and exerts several actions, most of which are vasodilatory and positive inotropic effects. Based on this, an apelin deficiency is believed to play a significant role in the development of hypertension and heart failure. However, the association of apelin with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and especially plaque vulnerability remains unestablished.