Evolution of Mitochondrially Derived Peptides Humanin and MOTSc, and Changes in Insulin Sensitivity during Early Gestation in Women with and without Gestational Diabetes.

Ruiz D, Santibañez M, Lavín BA, Berja A, Montalban C, Vazquez LA

Journal of clinical medicine26 May 2022Cited by 6 (Europe PMC)

PMID35683389PMCIDPMC9181699DOI10.3390/jcm11113003PepBankPUB-35683389

Summary

Our purpose is to study the evolution of mitochondrially derived peptides (MDPs) and their relationship with changes in insulin sensitivity from the early stages of pregnancy in a cohort of pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes (GDM). MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling. Insulin resistance (IR) was defined as a HOMA-IR index ≥70th percentile. We observed a significant reduction in both humanin and MOTSc levels from the first to the second trimesters of pregnancy. After adjusting for predefined variables, including BMI, statistically nonsignificant associations between lower levels of humanin and the occurrence of a high HOMA-IR index were obtained (adjusted OR = 2.63 and 3.14 for the first and second trimesters, linear p-trend 0.260 and 0.175, respectively). Regarding MOTSc, an association was found only for the second trimester: adjusted OR = 7.68 (95% CI 1.49-39.67), linear p-trend = 0.012. No significant associations were observed in humanin change with insulin resistance throughout pregnancy, but changes in MOTSc levels were significantly associated with HOMA-IR index: adjusted OR 3.73 (95% CI 1.03-13.50). In conclusion, MOTSc levels, especially a strong decrease from the first to second trimester of gestation, may be involved in increasing insulin resistance during early gestation.

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

Results from this study7

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

Natural levels measured7

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 levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes, the body's own MOTSc levels fell significantly from the first to the second trimester.
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, natural MOTSc levels dropped from the first to the second trimester.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
DecreaseMOTSc level change from first to second trimester
Study
n = 73
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
a significant reduction in both humanin and MOTSc levels from the first to the second trimesters of pregnancy.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3568338901
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes, humanin levels fell significantly from the first to the second trimester.
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, the body's own humanin levels fell from the first to the second trimester.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
DecreaseHumanin change from first to second trimester
Study
n = 73
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
We observed a significant reduction in both humanin and MOTSc levels from the first to the second trimesters of pregnancy.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
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-3568338905
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women, lower humanin levels were not significantly associated with a high HOMA-IR index after adjustment.
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, lower natural humanin levels were not clearly linked to higher insulin resistance.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
No significant changeHumanin level and high HOMA-IR
Study
n = 73
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Adjusted OR
2.63
first trimester
Adjusted OR
3.14
second trimester
Source sentences
Summary
After adjusting for predefined variables, including BMI, statistically nonsignificant associations between lower levels of humanin and the occurrence of a high HOMA-IR index were obtained (adjusted OR = 2.63 and 3.14 for the first and second trimesters, linear p-trend 0.260 and 0.175, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
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-3568338906
04HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women, change in humanin levels during pregnancy was not significantly associated with insulin resistance.
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, changes in natural humanin levels were not linked to insulin resistance.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
No significant changeHumanin change and insulin resistance
Study
n = 73
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
No significant associations were observed in humanin change with insulin resistance throughout pregnancy
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
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-3568338907
05HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women, MOTSc levels in the first trimester were not associated with a high HOMA-IR index.
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, natural MOTSc levels in the first trimester were not linked to insulin resistance.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
No significant changeMOTSc level in first trimester and high HOMA-IR
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
an association was found only for the second trimester: adjusted OR = 7.68 (95% CI 1.49-39.67), linear p-trend = 0.012.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3568338902
06HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women, MOTSc levels in the second trimester were associated with a high HOMA-IR index (adjusted OR 7.68).
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, natural MOTSc levels in the second trimester were linked to insulin resistance.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
Not applicableMOTSc level in second trimester and high HOMA-IR
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
adjusted OR
7.68
second trimester, high HOMA-IR
Source sentences
Summary
Regarding MOTSc, an association was found only for the second trimester: adjusted OR = 7.68 (95% CI 1.49-39.67), linear p-trend = 0.012.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3568338903
07HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In pregnant women, changes in MOTSc levels over pregnancy were significantly associated with the HOMA-IR index (adjusted OR 3.73).
In plain wordsIn pregnant women, changes in natural MOTSc levels were linked to insulin resistance.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
Not applicableChange in MOTSc level and HOMA-IR index
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
adjusted OR
3.73
change in MOTSc, HOMA-IR
Source sentences
Summary
changes in MOTSc levels were significantly associated with HOMA-IR index: adjusted OR 3.73 (95% CI 1.03-13.50).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
MDPs (humanin and MOTSc) were assessed in the first and second trimesters of gestation in 28 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and a subgroup of 45 pregnant women without GDM matched by BMI, age, previous gestations, and time of sampling.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3568338904

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Versions 4 to 18Current
28 Oct 2026, 02:02 UTC
The same notice was added 15 times, first on 13 Oct 2026, 21:44 UTC. The status did not change between them.
Study results updated
Version 3
13 Oct 2026, 16:31 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 2
10 Oct 2026, 08:19 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Evolution of Mitochondrially Derived Peptides Humanin and MOTSc, and Changes in Insulin Sensitivity during Early Gestation in Women with and without Gestational Diabetes.

Summary

Results from this study7

Natural levels measured7

Version history

Subjects

Publication types

Keywords