The study found that pregnant women with pre‑eclampsia have higher levels of the tiny protein humanin in their blood compared to healthy pregnant women, hinting that humanin might help protect against the oxidative stress and blood‑vessel problems seen in this condition.

To compare serum humanin concentrations in pregnant women with and without pre-eclampsia (PE). A case-control study where pregnant women (PE group, n = 37; control group, n = 34) studied through history parameters (gynecological, obstetrical, personal, and family), physical and sonographic examination parameters [body mass index (BMI), blood pressure obstetrical ultrasound], and biochemical/hormonal assays [creatinine, urea, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), uric acid, platelets, urinary protein, and humanin]. There was no difference in basic characteristics between women with PE and control, except in parity and gravidity. Humanin concentrations were higher in women with PE compared to controls (422.2 ± 33.5 vs. 319.1 ± 28.1 pg/ml, p = 0.023). In a binary logistic analysis, humanin was associated with the presence of PE [odds ratio 1.003, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.000-1.006]. The ability of humanin to discriminate between women with PE and controls was evaluated by receiver operation characteristics (ROC) analysis [area under the curve (AUC) 0.639, 95% CI; 0.510-0.768, p = 0.045]. Serum humanin concentrations are increased in women with PE, compared to women with uncomplicated pregnancies, suggesting a potential protective role of humanin against the oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction occurring in PE.