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Published on: April 1, 2019

Reduced plasma APJ levels and APLNR G212A polymorphism in Syrian patients with coronary artery disease

Maisaa Hassan Abd-Alkareem1, Hussam Eddin Mohammed Shibli2, Faizeh Ali Alquobaili1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Damascus University, Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic.

Current Medical Research and Opinion
|May 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Reduced plasma APJ levels were found in Syrian coronary artery disease (CAD) patients, suggesting a weakened protective role for the apelin/APJ system. The apelin receptor G212A polymorphism showed no significant association with CAD risk in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Genetics
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global health concern.
  • The apelin/apelin receptor (APJ) system plays a role in cardiovascular regulation.
  • This study is the first in a Syrian population to examine the apelin/APJ system in relation to CAD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association of the apelin receptor G212A polymorphism with CAD susceptibility.
  • To assess plasma apelin receptor (APJ) levels in Syrian CAD patients and controls.
  • To explore the role of the apelin/APJ system in the pathophysiology of CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Case-control study involving 108 CAD patients and 114 healthy controls.
  • Plasma APJ levels measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Apelin receptor G212A genotype and allele frequencies determined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Main Results:

  • Plasma APJ levels were significantly lower in CAD patients compared to controls (p < 0.005).
  • Lower plasma APJ levels were independently associated with CAD and hypertension.
  • No statistically significant association was found between the apelin receptor G212A polymorphism and CAD risk (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Significantly reduced plasma APJ levels in Syrian CAD patients suggest a diminished protective role of the apelin/APJ system.
  • The apelin receptor G212A polymorphism was not significantly associated with CAD risk in this cohort.
  • Plasma APJ may serve as a potential biomarker for CAD, emphasizing the need for population-specific genetic studies.
Abstract

Keywords:
APLNR G212A polymorphismCoronary artery diseaseSyrian cohortgenetic epidemiologyplasma APJ level

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