LIT01-196, a Metabolically Stable Apelin-17 Analog, Normalizes Blood Pressure in Hypertensive DOCA-Salt Rats via a NO Synthase-dependent Mechanism

TL;DR

This study introduces LIT01-196, a metabolically stable apelin-17 analog, which effectively lowers blood pressure in hypertensive rats through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism, showing potential for hypertension treatment.

Contribution

We developed LIT01-196, a long-lasting apelin-17 analog, and demonstrated its efficacy in normalizing blood pressure in hypertensive rats via a NO-dependent pathway.

Findings

LIT01-196 decreases blood pressure dose-dependently in rats.

It normalizes blood pressure in hypertensive rats for over 7 hours.

It does not affect kidney function or electrolyte balance.

Abstract

Apelin is a neuro-vasoactive peptide that plays a major role in the control of cardiovascular functions and water balance, but has an in-vivo half-life in the minute range, limiting its therapeutic use. We previously developed LIT01-196, a systemically active metabolically stable apelin-17 analog, produced by chemical addition of a fluorocarbon chain to the N-terminal part of apelin-17. LIT01-196 behaves as a potent full agonist for the apelin receptor and has an in vivo half-life in the bloodstream of 28 min after intravenous (i.v.) and 156 min after subcutaneous (s.c.) administrations in conscious normotensive rats. We aimed to investigate the effects of LIT01-196 following systemic administrations on arterial blood pressure, heart rate, fluid balance and electrolytes in conscious normotensive and hypertensive deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt rats. Acute i.v. LIT01-196 administration, in increasing doses, dose-dependently decreases arterial blood pressure with ED 50 values of 9.8 and 3.1 nmol/kg in normotensive and hypertensive rats, respectively. This effect occurs for both via a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. Moreover, acute s.c. LIT01-196 administration (90 nmol/kg) normalizes arterial blood pressure in conscious hypertensive DOCA-salt rats for more than 7 h. The LIT01-196-induced blood pressure decrease remains unchanged after 4 consecutive daily s.c. administrations of 90 nmol/kg, and does not induce any alteration of plasma sodium and potassium levels and kidney function as shown by the lack of change in plasma creatinine and urea nitrogen levels. Activating the apelin receptor with LIT01-196 may constitute a novel approach for the treatment of hypertension.