10 A NOVEL PEPTIDE ELABELA IS ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERTENSION-RELATED SUBCLINICAL ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Abstract

Background: Elabela is a newly identified peptide which, alongside apelin, acts as an endogenous ligand that activates the angiotensin receptor-like 1 receptor (APJ). Previous clinical studies have shown the association of elabela with hypertension, but information about the role of elabela in hypertension-related atherosclerosis is scarce. Objectives: To determine the association between plasma elabela peptide levels and subclinical atherosclerosis in the hypertensive population. Methods: A total of 104 subjects with hypertension were included in a cross-sectional study. Plasma elabela levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by extracting the peptide following the manufacturer's instructions. The subclinical atherosclerosis parameter was assessed by measuring the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) using ultrasound. Results: Compared to stage 1, elabela levels decreased in stage 2 of the hypertension group (0.14 [0.09, 0.23] ng/ml vs. 0.23 [0.13, 0.45] ng/ml; P = 0.000), and in the group with increased carotid IMT compared to normal IMT (0.15 [0.10, 0.23] ng/ml vs. 0.24 [0.13, 0.38] ng/ml; P = 0.005). Additionally, a linear correlation analysis showed that elabela had a significant negative correlation with systolic blood pressure (r = -0.340, P = 0.000) and carotid IMT (r = -0.213; P = 0.030). In multivariate analysis, decreased elabela levels (cut-off 0.155 ng/ml) were associated with the higher cardiovascular risk group in this study (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.8-13.5, P < 0.001). Conclusion: This study is the first to demonstrate the association of circulating elabela with carotid IMT in hypertensive patients, implicating that elabela is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension-related subclinical atherosclerosis. Reduced elabela levels were also associated with increased cardiovascular risk.