Apelin-transgenic mice exhibit a resistance against diet-induced obesity by increasing vascular mass and mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle

► Human apelin-transgenic mice exhibited a resistance for diet-induced obesity. ► Apelin was found to increase type-I muscle ratio and mitochondria content in muscle. ► It was also supposed to be caused by increased vascular mass induced by apelin. ► A potential therapeutic strategy for obesity involves increasing energy expenditure. ► So apelin may have an important role in regulation of metabolism-related diseases.