Evaluation of Serum Apelin in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients

Background: Acute coronary syndrome refers to any group of clinical symptoms compatible with acute myocardial ischemia including unstable angina (UA), Non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) & ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).Apelin is a novel endogenous peptide with inotropic and vasodilatory properties, it was recently reported that serum measurements of apelin were similar to its immunohistochemical data in vessels and heart tissues.Objectives: This study aims to evaluate serum levels of apelin in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome related to severity of presentation.Patients and Methods: The present study was conducted during the period from September 2014 until March 2015. Fifty-nine patients with ACS were included as (30 UA, 15 NSTEMI, & 14 STEMI) patients. Also the study included (28) apparently healthy persons served as control. Blood samples were obtained for measurements of Apelin by ELISA method.Results: Serum apelin levels were significantly decreased in whole group of patients with ACS (1846.1±320.9) ng/ml compared to control (2719.4±272.5) ng/ml (p< 0.05). Regarding patients’ subgroups; serum apelin was lowest in STEMI (1729.0±480.0) ng/ml, NSTEMI (1816.0±289.0) ng/ml, & UA (1916.0±224.4) ng/ml when compared with control; respectively.Conclusion: Data obtained revealed a reduction in serum apelin levels in all patients groups especially STEMI, so it could be considered as a biochemical marker for evaluation of ACS.