Figure 4.

Involvement of APJ receptor, mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK1/2/MAP3/1) and protein kinase B (AKT) in the antiapoptotic effect of apelin in BeWo cells: The cells were pre-treated for 1 h with APJ receptor, MAP3/1 and AKT kinase inhibitors ML221 (5 µM), PD098059 (1 µM) and LY290042 (1 µM). Subsequently, apelin at a dose of 2 (AP2) ng/mL was added. After 72 h of incubation, activity of caspase 3 and 7 was analysed using the Caspase-Glo 3/7 assay. Experiments were independently performed and repeated three times (n = 3). The results are presented as a percentage compared to the control (100%). The data are arranged as means ± SEM. Different letters indicate significant differences (p < 0.05) among groups; Control (C).