Plasma Apelin (Apelin-13 / Apelin-36)
Endogenous peptide ligand for the APJ G-protein coupled receptor, synthesized by skeletal muscle during exercise and vascular endothelium.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Rangespg/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
100 - 600 pg/mL
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
250 - 500 pg/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, enhances skeletal muscle satellite cell renewal, improves myocardial inotropy, and induces vasodilation.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (Apelin-13 / Apelin-36 High)
- •Regular physical exercise training
- •Optimal skeletal muscle mass and mitochondrial density
Low Levels (Apelin-13 / Apelin-36 Low)
- •Age-related sarcopenia and muscle loss
- •Heart failure progression
- •Severe metabolic insulin resistance
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for Apelin-13 / Apelin-36
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to cardioprotective myokine & sarcopenia defense
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Plasma Apelin - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34190124
- [2]Apelin-13 / Apelin-36 Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35422901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Plasma Apelin (Apelin-13 / Apelin-36) into overall healthspan optimization.