Apelin is the endogenous ligand of APJ, which belongs to the family of G protein‑coupled receptors. Apelin and APJ are highly expressed in various cardiovascular tissues, including the heart, kidney and vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Although apelin exerts hypotensive effects via activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the ability of apelin to regulate blood pressure under pathological conditions is poorly understood. In the current study, NG‑nitro‑L‑arginine methyl ester (L‑NAME), a potent NOS inhibitor, was administered chronically, to induce peripheral vascular damage in mice. L‑NAME‑treated mice exhibited hypertension, increased vascular cell adhesion molecule‑1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor‑1 mRNA levels in the aorta and impaired vasodilatation associated with decreased aortic eNOS expression, consistent with endothelial damage. Three days following withdrawal of L‑NAME treatment, the blood pressure response to apelin stimulation was assessed. Although apelin reduced blood pressure in non‑treated mice, it was found to transiently elevate blood pressure in L‑NAME‑treated mice. These results indicate that apelin functions as a vasopressor peptide under pathological conditions, including vascular endothelial dysfunction in mice.