Research indicates that polypeptides and the naturally occurring micro-peptide Humanin (HN) may inhibit neuronal cell death caused by several Alzheimer’s genes. Humanin is a cytoprotective protein encoded in mitochondrial DNA, hypothesized to prevent cell death. In apoptosis, cells die in a predetermined way. Neurons, muscle cells, heart tissue, and the eye retina may potentialy all protected from this potentially fatal process due to its suggested preventative action in cells from harming themselves.

Animal studies suggest that cardiovascular dysregulation and Alzheimer’s disease may both be improved following Humanin peptide exposure. A further discussion of the Humanin peptide follows, including its functions, potential, and internet sources for purchasing this research tool.

Humanin Peptide: What is it?

Because of its small size and lack of post-production modification, Humanin is deemed a micro-peptide. Research indicates that the typical length of this peptide type is between 100 and 150 amino acids.

Humanin is one of the tiniest micropeptides on the market, with a length of only 24 amino acids. Its primary characteristic is believed to be its potential to control cell death by interacting with the Bax protein and removing its activity when cell survival is in danger.

Humanin Peptide Levels

According to studies, male mice usually have lower HN levels than female mice. To maintain optimal organism function, a balanced Humanin level is believed to be critical. Various physiological problems may arise from either too low or too high levels.

Symptoms of potential outcomes of low Humanin levels include:

• Premature aging and cell death
•  Alzheimer’s Disease
•  Vision loss
•  Insulin resistance and its complications
• Type 2 Diabetes
•  Defects in mitochondria
•  Dysfunction of the blood vessels

Symptoms of potential outcomes of high Humanin levels include:

• Certain malignancies
• Gestation

Experimental studies have derived several potential actions of Humanin peptides. The following impacts of this peptide have been hypothesized by study, notwithstanding the scant data on Humanin action.

Humanin Peptide and Aging

Investigations purport that growth hormone (GH) may adversely affect HN peptide levels. For example, studies have suggested that mice with insufficient GH production appeared to have elevated HN levels and a longer life span than mice with normal GH production.

A new study reported that centenarian-owned animals had three times the amount of Humanin as control animals. Additionally, HN has been theorized to dissolve atherosclerotic plaques, reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and decrease cell death. Based on the outcomes of anterior investigations, it seems that Humanin may potentially increase lifespan due to its perceived impact on cell cycles.

Humanin Peptide and Neuroprotection

Findings imply that Humanin may prevent some forms of programmed cell death. For example, the peptide has been speculated to shield neurons from cell death brought on by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. According to studies that used NMDA pulses, Humanin seems to protect neurons from excitotoxic damage.

Researchers are keeping their fingers crossed that Humanin function may one day be readily examined compound for research in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Experimental research reports that Humanin may protect neurons via two distinct pathways. These two processes work together to stop mitochondria from inducing cell death. It has been theorized that Humanin may close the apoptosis process by binding to the Bcl-2-boosting proteins tBid and Bid.

A recent Argentine study indicates that astrocytes secrete Humanin to protect hippocampus synapses. Studies have also suggested that supplementing older animals’ diets with Humanin may help them avoid aging-related cognitive deficits.

Humanin Peptide and Insulin Resistance

Studies have purported that HN may potentially improve glucose tolerance in animals without diabetes and may prevent the loss of pancreatic beta cells. This further speculates that Humanin may be relevant to research in the context of type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, research indicated that Humanin may balance blood glucose levels by acting on the hypothalamus, increasing insulin sensitivity in the liver.

Consequently, new research indicates that Humanin may aid obesity by reducing the likelihood of weight gain by enhancing insulin release in response to glucose stimulation.

Humanin Peptide and the Heart

Humanin peptide has been hypothesized to help protect blood arteries against oxidized LDL cholesterol, a byproduct of bad cholesterol. It is also believed to participate in producing free radicals due to LDL oxidation, reducing the species in the blood vessels by half. Its alleged 50% reduction in apoptosis is intriguing as well.

Consistent Humanin levels are essential for maintaining the organism’s physiological functioning over time. Exciting new findings suggest that peptide Humanin may have dual relevance as a potential cardiovascular disease diagnostic tool and research agent. Studies suggest that Humanin may reduce oxidative stress and protect against damage caused by left coronary blockage by increasing AMPK and eNOS.

Humanin Peptide and Bones

Researchers have speculated two main ways in which Humanin may support bone structures. The first is to stop chondrocytes, the cells that contribute to bone integrity and strength, from dying. At the same time as it decreases osteoclast production, Humanin is believed to increase chondrocyte growth. Cells that remodel bone are known as osteoclasts and are responsible for breaking down bone. Severe bone loss may result from the over-activation of these cells. Research indicates that Humanin supplements may decrease substantial bone remodeling and loss by preventing development.

Humanin Peptide and Vision

Studies on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) have suggested that Humanin may be crucial in preventing damage to the RPE. This hypothesis stands out among the others based on the available preclinical data.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) nourishes the retinal cells responsible for vision. Additionally, it maintains a functioning inner eye, filters blood components in the eye, and absorbs light. Humanin has been theorized to protect RPE cells from oxidative stress and cell death by enhancing mitochondrial levels and preventing AMD. According to some claims, Humanin supplementation seems to improve RPE and make the tissue more resistant to cell death. The scientific community hopes that more mouse studies will lead to a better approach for AMD and other retinal illnesses.

Humanin Peptide: Additional Research

Scientific studies have indicated that Humanin peptide may have other impacts. The most lauded research hypotheses, as of December 2023, are indicated to be:

• Reduced risk weight gain
• Increased memory retention
• Reduced risk of Dementia
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis aid
• Increased UV radiation protection

Few experimental studies have been conducted on Humanin so far. Scientists must continue their studies to fully comprehend the full range of properties this neuropeptide may offer. Click here to buy Humanin peptide if you are a scientist interested in further studying its potential.

References

[i] Lee, Changhan, Kelvin Yen, and Pinchas Cohen. “Humanin : a Harbinger of Mitochondrial-Derived Peptides?” Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism 24, no. 5 (May 2013): 222–228. doi:10.1016/j.tem.2013.01.005.

[ii] Lytvyn, Yuliya, Junxiang Wan, Vesta Lai, Pinchas Cohen, and David Z.I. Cherney. “The Effect of Sex on Humanin Levels in Healthy Mice and Patients with Uncomplicated Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.” Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 93, no. 4 (April 2015): 239–243. doi:10.1139/cjpp-2014-0401.

[iii] Lee, Changhan, Junxiang Wan, Brian Miyazaki, Yimin Fang, Jaime Guevara-Aguirre, Kelvin Yen, Valter Longo, Andrzej Bartke, and Pinchas Cohen. “IGF-I Regulates the Age-Dependent Signaling Peptide Humanin .” Aging Cell 13, no. 5 (July 18, 2014): 958–961. doi:10.1111/acel.12243.

[iv] Caricasole, Andrea, Valeria Bruno, Irene Cappuccio, Daniela Melchiorri, Agata Copani, and Ferdinando Nicoletti. “A Novel Rat Gene Encoding a Humanin ‐like Peptide Endowed with Broad Neuroprotective Activity.” The FASEB Journal 16, no. 10 (June 21, 2002): 1331–1333. doi:10.1096/fj.02-0018fje.

[v] Li Z, Sreekumar PG, Peddi S, Hinton DR, Kannan R, MacKay JA. The humanin peptide mediates ELP nanoassembly and protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells from oxidative stress. Nanomedicine. 2020 Feb;24:102111. doi: 10.1016/j.nano.2019.102111. Epub 2019 Oct 23. PMID: 31655204; PMCID: PMC7263384.