Plasma apelin is lower in patients with elevated LDL-cholesterol

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cardiovascular Research
• Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

• Hypercholesterolemia is a primary risk factor for atherosclerosis.
• Adipokines, including apelin, play a role in atherosclerotic diseases.
• Apelin secretion is linked to hyperinsulinemia and inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate plasma apelin levels in patients with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol without other disorders.
• To compare apelin, adiponectin, and hsCRP levels, and HOMA indexes between hypercholesterolemic patients and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• Studied 33 hypercholesterolemic patients and 50 matched healthy controls.
• Measured plasma apelin-12 and adiponectin using ELISA and RIA.
• Assessed high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) indexes.

Main Results:

• Plasma apelin levels were significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic patients (p<0.001).
• Adiponectin levels were also lower in the dyslipidemic group (p<0.001).
• HOMA indexes were higher in hypercholesterolemic patients, indicating insulin resistance (p=0.005).

Conclusions:

• Decreased plasma apelin is observed in non-obese, non-diabetic, normotensive individuals with elevated LDL-cholesterol.
• Low apelin levels in hypercholesterolemia appear associated with insulin resistance.
• Further research in larger populations and other atherosclerotic conditions is warranted.