Objective To explore the roles of Apelin in the development of gastric carcinoma (GC) and interrelation with MVD. Methods Immunohistochemical streptacidin/peroxidase (SP) technique was adopted to examine the expressions of Apelin in 20 cases of normal gastric mucosa, 20 cases of atypical hyperplasia (Dys) and 60 cases of gastric carcinoma, and to examine MVD by CD34 staining. Results With the development of GC, the positive rate of Apelin was increased gradually, namely 5.0 %(1/20) in normal gastric mucosa group, 15.0 %(3/20) in atypical hyperplasia group and 83.3 %(50/60) in gastric carcinoma. Expression of Apelin was correlated with TNM stage and differentiation. MVD in the Apelin positive group (47.01±11.66) was significantly higher than that in the negative group(38.90±10.21); MVD of the Apelin positive group expression was correlated with the histologic stage, serosa infiltration and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Conclusion Apelin may contribute to the development of GC by activating tumour neoangiogenesis.