Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41459616›Full record

ArticleCNS neuroscience & therapeutics2025

Apelin-13 Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction Following Intracerebral Hemorrhage via Targeting the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling.

Pingping Guo, Rabeea Siddique, Juanfeng Qian, Lingxiao Qi, V Wee Yong, Mengzhou Xue

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Pingping GuoDepartment of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Rabeea SiddiqueDepartment of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Juanfeng QianDepartment of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
Lingxiao QiDepartment of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
V Wee YongHotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Mengzhou XueDepartment of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.ORCID 0000-0002-4427-7285

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China U25A2065National Natural Science Foundation of China W2541024
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBlood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction serves as a critical driver of the secondary brain injury following intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Previous research has indicated that Apelin-13 demonstrates the potential to alleviate BBB dysfunction in various cerebrovascular disorders. However, the precise mechanisms through which Apelin-13 preserves BBB integrity remain elusive. This study investigated whether Apelin-13 exerted neuroprotective effects by targeting the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling.

methodsAn in vivo ICH model was established using collagenase. Neurological function, brain edema, tight junction protein levels, and Evans blue leakage were assessed. In vitro, bEnd.3 monolayers were induced by hemin to simulate ICH conditions. To assess the role of Apelin-13 in the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling, we employed specific shRNAs targeting Nrf2 and apelin receptor (APJ). The neuroprotective effects of Apelin-13 in hemin-stimulated bEnd.3 cells were assessed through transendothelial electrical resistance assay, western blotting, and immunofluorescence analysis.

resultsApelin-13 treatment significantly mitigated brain damage, reduced cerebral edema, and promoted neurological recovery in ICH mice. These effects were accompanied by a significant decrease in matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression and an increase in tight junction protein levels. Similar protective effects were observed in hemin-induced bEnd.3 cells, where Apelin-13 additionally promoted Nrf2 expression and suppressed Keap1 expression, suggesting the involvement of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling. Critically, APJ silencing blocked the effects of Apelin-13 on the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. Furthermore, Nrf2 knockdown eliminated the protective effects of Apelin-13, reversing its attenuation of apoptosis, preservation of tight junction integrity, and reduction of oxidative stress in hemin-stimulated bEnd.3 cells.

conclusionsIn conclusion, these findings demonstrate that through its engagement with APJ, Apelin-13 activates the endothelial Keap1/Nrf2 pathway to protect against ICH-induced BBB disruption and facilitate neurological recovery, highlighting its therapeutic promise for ICH.

Indexed as

Blood-Brain BarrierCerebral HemorrhageIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsKelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1Neuroprotective AgentsNF-E2-Related Factor 2AnimalsBrain EdemaDisease Models, AnimalMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLSignal Transductionapelin-13 peptideIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsKeap1 protein, mouseKelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1Neuroprotective AgentsNfe2l2 protein, mouseNF-E2-Related Factor 2Apelin‐13blood–brain barrierintracerebral hemorrhageKeap1/Nrf2oxidative stress

Identifiers

PMID41459616
PMCPMC12746050

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.