Apelin as a Potential Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 8-16% of the world's population, and is independently associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). As renal function declines, rates of major adverse cardiovascular events, cardiovascular and all-cause mortality increase. In addition to hypertension, increased arterial stiffness is characteristic of CKD, a marker of CVD risk, and an independent predictor of mortality in CKD patients. The endothelium is an important regulator of arterial stiffness, and endothelial dysfunction is a feature of CKD and a predictor of CVD. Current treatment of CKD is limited and aims to reduce blood pressure and proteinuria through the use of angiotensin ...
