Humanin skeletal muscle protein levels increase after resistance training in men with impaired glucose metabolism.

Gidlund EK, von Walden F, Venojärvi M, Risérus U, Heinonen OJ, Norrbom J, Sundberg CJ

Physiological reports1 Dec 2016Cited by 51 (Europe PMC)

PMID27923980PMCIDPMC5357820DOI10.14814/phy2.13063PepBankPUB-27923980

Summary

Humanin (HN) is a mitochondrially encoded and secreted peptide linked to glucose metabolism and tissue protecting mechanisms. Whether skeletal muscle HN gene or protein expression is influenced by exercise remains unknown. In this intervention study we show, for the first time, that HN protein levels increase in human skeletal muscle following 12 weeks of resistance training in persons with prediabetes. Male subjects (n = 55) with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) were recruited and randomly assigned to resistance training, Nordic walking or a control group. The exercise interventions were performed three times per week for 12 weeks with progressively increased intensity during the intervention period. Biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle and venous blood samples were taken before and after the intervention. Skeletal muscle and serum protein levels of HN were analyzed as well as skeletal muscle gene expression of the mitochondrially encoded gene MT-RNR2, containing the open reading frame for HN To elucidate mitochondrial training adaptation, mtDNA, and nuclear DNA as well as Citrate synthase were measured. Skeletal muscle HN protein levels increased by 35% after 12 weeks of resistance training. No change in humanin protein levels was seen in serum in any of the intervention groups. There was a significant correlation between humanin levels in serum and the improvements in the 2 h glucose loading test in the resistance training group. The increase in HN protein levels in skeletal muscle after regular resistance training in prediabetic males may suggest a role for HN in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Given the preventative effect of exercise on diabetes type 2, the role of HN as a mitochondrially derived peptide and an exercise-responsive mitokine warrants further investigation.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured3

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelRandomized controlled trialOther
In men with impaired glucose regulation, 12 weeks of resistance training increased natural skeletal muscle humanin protein levels by 35%.
In plain wordsIn men with prediabetes, 12 weeks of resistance training raised the muscle's own humanin protein by 35%.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
IncreaseSkeletal muscle humanin protein after resistance training
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Endocrine and hormones
Measurements
Skeletal muscle humanin protein increase
35%
resistance training
Source sentences
Summary
Skeletal muscle HN protein levels increased by 35% after 12 weeks of resistance training.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male subjects (n = 55) with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) were recruited and randomly assigned to resistance training, Nordic walking or a control group.
This result measures the body's own Humanin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2792398001
02HumanEndogenous levelRandomized controlled trialOther
In men with impaired glucose regulation, serum humanin protein levels did not change in any intervention group.
In plain wordsIn men with prediabetes, the blood level of the body's own humanin did not change in any exercise or control group.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
No significant changeSerum humanin protein after exercise
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Exercise and physical function · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
No change in humanin protein levels was seen in serum in any of the intervention groups.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male subjects (n = 55) with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) were recruited and randomly assigned to resistance training, Nordic walking or a control group.
This result measures the body's own Humanin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2792398002
03HumanEndogenous levelRandomized controlled trialOther
In the resistance training group, serum natural humanin levels correlated significantly with improvements in the 2 h glucose loading test.
In plain wordsIn men with prediabetes doing resistance training, blood levels of the body's own humanin were linked to improvements in the 2-hour glucose test.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
Not applicableSerum humanin correlation with 2 h glucose loading test improvement
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant correlation between humanin levels in serum and the improvements in the 2 h glucose loading test in the resistance training group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Male subjects (n = 55) with impaired glucose regulation (IGR) were recruited and randomly assigned to resistance training, Nordic walking or a control group.
This result measures the body's own Humanin. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2792398003

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Version history

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Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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