Abstract
Background: Global burden of cardiometabolic disease warrants development of newer treatment strategies. Apelin is ubiquitously expressed endogenous peptide which is a ligand for the apelinergic (APJ) receptor. Apelin/APJ receptors regulate a variety of biological functions and have been implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic homeostasis. Consequently, the apelinergic pathway represents an attractive target to treat conditions associated with cardiometabolic syndrome.
Objective: This review highlights the important regulatory role played by apelin in energy metabolism and cardiovascular function, and potential avenues that could be harnessed for therapeutic benefit.
Conclusion: Apelin/APJ system is a druggable target to treat or prevent a variety of cardiometabolic diseases.
Keywords: Apelin, apelinergic receptor, energy metabolism, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, polymorphism.
Graphical Abstract
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