Cardiovascular responses to apelin in two-kidney-one-clip hypertensive rats and its receptor expression in ischemic and non-ischemic kidneys

► Apelin at dose 20ug/kg increased +LVdp/dt max and -LV dp/dt max of the heart. ► Apelin at dose 40ug/kg strongly decreased SBP, DBP, and the above two indices. ► 2K1C did not change apelin, aldosterone and AVP levels but increased angII level. ► 2K1C decreased apelin receptor mRNA and protein expression in non- cliped kidney. ► Apelin with RAS antagonism may be useful therapeutic goals in 2K1C hypertension.