Investigating Systemic and Local Vascular Responses to Apelin in the Context of Renin-angiotensin Upregulation

Investigating the Interaction of Apelin and Systemic Angiotensin II Peripheral Resistance Vessels and Systemic Haemodynamics in Vivo in Man

The apelin-APJ system is a relatively new discovery. It has generated interest in part due to it's apparent ability to counteract the renin-angiotensin system, which is frequently overactive in many cardiovascular disease.

Two of the main actions of apelin are to increase the pumping ability of the heart and cause blood vessels to relax. The investigators wish to assess if these actions are altered in the setting of normal renin-angiotensin activation and increased renin-angiotensin activity.

Inclusion Criteria:

• >18yr

Exclusion Criteria:

• Lack of informed consent
• Age < 18 years,
• Current involvement in other research studies,
• Systolic blood pressure >190 mmHg or <100 mmHg
• Malignant arrhythmias
• Renal or hepatic failure
• Haemodynamically significant aortic stenosis
• Severe or significant co morbidity
• Women of childbearing potential.
• Any regular medication
• Previous history of any cardiovascular disease