Altered placental expression of small humanin-like peptides in gestational diabetes mellitus.

Dagli S, Oyur ME, Turan B, Turkkol A, Kolac UK

Upsala journal of medical sciences3 Jul 2026

PMID42453115PMCIDPMC13366712DOI10.48101/ujms.v131.14142PepBankPUB-42453115

Summary

BackgroundGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is characterized by maternal insulin resistance and hyperglycemia and has been associated with placental mitochondrial alterations. Small humanin-like peptides (SHLP1-6), encoded within the mitochondrial 16S rRNA region, have been described as mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) with reported cytoprotective and metabolic effects in experimental settings. However, their expression in placental tissues from GDM pregnancies has not been previously investigated.MethodsPlacental tissues were obtained from women with GDM and normoglycemic controls following cesarean delivery. Maternal fasting glucose, fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were recorded. Total RNA was isolated from placental samples, and the mRNA expression levels of SHLP1-6 were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, Humanin and SHLP2 peptide levels were assessed at the protein level. Group comparisons and correlation analyses were performed to evaluate associations between placental SHLP expression and maternal metabolic parameters within each group.ResultsPlacental expression levels of all six SHLP transcripts were significantly reduced in the GDM group compared with controls. Lower placental SHLP expression was significantly associated with higher HOMA-IR and HbA1c values. In addition, reduced SHLP transcript levels were associated with increased neonatal birth weight. Consistently, Humanin and SHLP2 levels were significantly reduced in both serum and placental samples in the GDM group.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that placental mRNA levels of SHLPs are reduced in pregnancies complicated by GDM and are associated with maternal metabolic status. The integration of transcriptional findings with targeted peptide measurements supports the notion that altered placental SHLP expression is linked to metabolic disturbances in GDM and warrants further investigation into the role of MDPs in placental adaptation during diabetic pregnancy.

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

Results from this study2

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Natural levels measured2

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01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In women with gestational diabetes mellitus, serum humanin levels were significantly lower than in normoglycemic controls.
In plain wordsIn women with gestational diabetes, the body's own humanin in blood was lower than in women without it.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
DecreaseSerum humanin in gestational diabetes
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Normoglycemic controls
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
Consistently, Humanin and SHLP2 levels were significantly reduced in both serum and placental samples in the GDM group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Placental tissues were obtained from women with GDM and normoglycemic controls following cesarean delivery.
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-4245311501
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In women with gestational diabetes mellitus, placental humanin levels were significantly lower than in normoglycemic controls.
In plain wordsIn women with gestational diabetes, the body's own humanin in the placenta was lower than in women without it.
Peptide
Humanin
Outcome
DecreasePlacental humanin in gestational diabetes
Study
n: not reported in source
Comparator
Normoglycemic controls
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Reproductive and sexual health
Source sentences
Summary
Consistently, Humanin and SHLP2 levels were significantly reduced in both serum and placental samples in the GDM group.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Placental tissues were obtained from women with GDM and normoglycemic controls following cesarean delivery.
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-4245311502

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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

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