Research Information System
Journal of Natural Life Medicine, vol.5, no.2, pp.82-88, 2023 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Apelin, a neuropeptide, is a typical endogenous ligand of G
protein-coupled apelin receptor, APJ. Apelin mRNAs,
proteins and APJ are commonly found in peripheral tissues
and the central nervous system (CNS). Thus apelin-APJ
system may be related to many physiological and
pathological processes such as epilepsy. Epilepsy is severe
chronic neurological disease and affects millions of people
worldwide. Disruption of the balance between excitation
and inhibition can cause epilepsy. There are few studies
about apelin and epilepsy interactions. Apelin-13 decreased
the incidence of PTZ-induced seizure in rats and appeared
preservative effects and decreased markers of cell injury and
death in primary cortical glia-neuron co-culture of rat against
PTZ-induced toxicity through its calcium blocking,
antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory
properties. Other study demonstrated protective effects of
apelin against neuronal death in epilepsy both in vitro and in
vivo . Conversely, apelin-13 increased the spike frequency of
penicillin-induced epileptiform activity in rat. In another
study investigating the relationship between cannabinoid
CB1 receptors and apelin, it was also shown that apelin-13
has a proconvulsant effect in penicillin model epilepsy.
Clarifying the effect of apelin on epilepsy will be important
for the development of treatment.