Research compounds
Apelin
APLN, apelin-13
Apelin is an endogenous peptide hormone acting at the APJ receptor, with roles in cardiovascular function, fluid balance and metabolism. It has attracted interest as both a cardiac and a metabolic target and is not approved for any use.
Also known as: apelin-13, apelin-17, APLN, APJ ligand
- Status
- Apelin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use.
- Evidence
- Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
- Half-life
- Under 5 minutes for apelin-13.
- How it's taken
- Intravenous infusion in the research setting
- Mechanism
- Other
How Apelin works
Apelin is processed into several active fragments, of which apelin-13 and apelin-17 are the most potent. Signalling through the APJ receptor produces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation and a positive inotropic effect on the heart without increasing oxygen demand proportionally — an unusual combination. Apelin also opposes the actions of vasopressin on water balance and improves insulin sensitivity in animal models.
What research has looked at
- It is one of the few endogenous agents reported to increase cardiac contractility while reducing afterload, which is a genuinely attractive profile in heart failure.
- Human infusion studies have demonstrated vasodilation and increased cardiac output.
- Animal work supports improved glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, making it a metabolic as well as cardiac target.
- The apelin/APJ axis interacts with the renin-angiotensin system, offering a counter-regulatory mechanism of interest in hypertension.
Evidence level: Early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far. These are areas studied or reported, not promised effects.
Reported side effects and risks
- No apelin-based therapy has been approved, and clinical development has been limited to short mechanistic studies. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy.
- Native apelin fragments are degraded within minutes by ACE2 and other peptidases, so sustained effect requires infusion or engineered analogues.
- Its cardiovascular potency means unsupervised administration carries genuine haemodynamic risk.
- Some evidence links elevated apelin to pathological angiogenesis, so chronic elevation is not obviously benign.
Sources
- PubMed research on apelin APJ receptor cardiac inotropy · NIH · National Library of Medicine
- DrugBank record for apelin · DrugBank
- Active clinical trials for apelin · U.S. National Library of Medicine
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Related compounds
Apelin FAQ
What is Apelin?
Apelin is an endogenous peptide hormone acting at the APJ receptor, with roles in cardiovascular function, fluid balance and metabolism. It has attracted interest as both a cardiac and a metabolic target and is not approved for any use.
How does Apelin work?
Apelin is processed into several active fragments, of which apelin-13 and apelin-17 are the most potent. Signalling through the APJ receptor produces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation and a positive inotropic effect on the heart without increasing oxygen demand proportionally — an unusual combination. Apelin also opposes the actions of vasopressin on water balance and improves insulin sensitivity in animal models.
Is Apelin FDA approved?
No. Apelin is a research compound and not approved by the FDA for human use. Evidence level: early human data. Only small or early-phase studies in people so far.
What is the half-life of Apelin?
Reported half-life: Under 5 minutes for apelin-13.
How is Apelin taken?
Intravenous infusion in the research setting.
What side effects have been reported with Apelin?
Reported in the sources: No apelin-based therapy has been approved, and clinical development has been limited to short mechanistic studies. No regulator has approved it, the human evidence base is limited, and material sold under this name is research chemical supply with unverified identity, purity, sterility and dose accuracy; Native apelin fragments are degraded within minutes by ACE2 and other peptidases, so sustained effect requires infusion or engineered analogues; Its cardiovascular potency means unsupervised administration carries genuine haemodynamic risk; Some evidence links elevated apelin to pathological angiogenesis, so chronic elevation is not obviously benign.
Educational summary compiled from the sources listed above. Not medical advice. Peptide Vault does not sell, source or recommend any compound. Talk to a qualified clinician before starting or changing anything.