Apelin as a potential treatment for chronic kidney disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Apelin as a Potential Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease: The AlPaCKa Study
IRAS ID
253218
Contact name
Neeraj Dhaun
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is common and affects millions of people in the UK. Patients with CKD have high blood pressure and increased blood vessel stiffness, both associated with heart disease. There are limited treatments for CKD. Many patients eventually require kidney replacement with dialysis or a transplant. Many patients with CKD die from heart disease.
A chemical called apelin was identified a few years ago. Studies in Edinburgh showed that apelin relaxes blood vessels, reduces blood pressure and increases the amount of blood pumped by the heart when given to healthy volunteers. Animal studies show apelin has actions in the kidney. We know it is present in human kidneys but its effects in human kidneys have never been studied. We want to assess the effects of apelin on the circulation and kidneys of healthy volunteers and people with CKD.
We will recruit 25 patients with CKD from the Edinburgh Renal Unit, and 25 matched healthy volunteers from volunteer databases. All participants will take part in 2 studies. The first involves one study visit and will examine the effects of apelin on local blood vessels in the arm. It involves a tiny wire being inserted into an artery for a drip of apelin and other drugs, and 2 plastic tubes (cannulae) into veins, and will take 4 hours. The second study will determine the effect of apelin on the circulation, and blood flow, salt and water excretion in the kidney. It will involve 2 full day visits. Three cannulae will be inserted to allow drug infusion and blood sampling. Four eye scans will also be done – these are non-invasive and similar to visiting the optician.
We think apelin could be a potential treatment for CKD and improve risk factors for heart disease. This study is funded by Kidney Research UK.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
18/SS/0145
Date of REC Opinion
12 Nov 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion