Effects Of Long Term Exogenous Apelin Application In Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension Model Created With Monocrotaline

Introduction and Aim: Apelin (AP) is a peptide that is localized in the vascular endothelium and is highly found in lung tissue. AP can improve right ventricular failure and myocardial injuries in pulmonary hypertension (PH). In this study, we aimed to investigate the cardiac and pulmonary effects of exogenous apelin application in rats with PH produced by monocrotaline (MCT). Material and Methods: Wistar Albino 52 male rats (300 - 350 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group I (control group - MCT and AP equal volume saline), Group II (Sham-AP group- 200 µg.kg-1 .day-1, ip 17 days, AP), Group III (MCT group- 60 mg / kg , single dose, ip, MCT), Group IV (MCT + AP group - 60 mg / kg, single dose, ip, MCT + 200 µg.kg-1 .day-1, ip 17 days, AP). The right ventricular hemodynamic and morphometric parameters, blood, lung, and heart tissue samples were evaluated. Results: The right ventricular wall and pulmonary artery wall thickness, pulmonary arterial vessel ratio increased in the MCT group, (p Conclusion: In this context, preventing the decrease of AP expression and/or exogenous AP application can reduce the effects of vasoconstrictor and PH related changes.