Serum levels of Apelin-36 are decreased in older hospitalized patients with heart failure

PurposeApelin is an endogenous peptide, it is a potent inotropes, a peripheral vasodilator, involved in fluid homeostasis, balancing the harmful effects of Ang-II-AT1 system. The apelin-APJ axis is down regulated in chronic heart failure (CHF), but the role of apelin has not yet been studied in elderly patients with CHF. The aim of our study is to investigate serum levels of apelin-36 in a group of older subjects with CHF.Subjects/Materials and methodsThe study population consisted of 30 consecutive patients aged 80 ± 7.8 years with CHF. Serum apelin levels were quantified by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). Results were considered significant if P was < 0.05.ResultsMean values of apelin-36 in CHF patients were 0.47 ± 0.21 ng/mL, and 0.95 ± 0.37 ng/mL in control subjects (P < 0.0001). Patients in IV NYHA class showed lower levels of apelin (0.38 ± 0.16 ng/mL). Direct correlations between apelin levels and ADLs (P = 0.0008, r = 0.61), and IADLs (P = 0.008, r = 0.50) were observed.Discussion and conclusionsThis study confirms that apelin levels are decreased in patients with CHF, also in the elderly and frail; since apelin represents a potential, promising novel therapeutic target for patients with CHF, geriatric patients should be considered for future clinical trials.