Humanin (HNG)-induced suppression of IGF-1 mimicked the homeostatic conditions created by caloric restriction or fasting in the host suggesting that HNG may be a caloric-restriction mimetic with a promising therapeutic potential for patients with cancer. The laboratory is currently pursuing the studies of humanin action on body and tumor metabolism. It functions through extracellular and intracellular pathways adjusting mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production. Addition of HNG improved insulin sensitivity in models of diabetes.
Using state of the art clamp technology, researchers examined the role of central and peripheral HN on insulin action. Continuous infusion of HNG intra-cerebro-ventricularly significantly improved overall insulin sensitivity.
They also determined that the amount of detectable HNG in hypothalamus, skeletal muscle, and cortex decreased with age in rodents, circulating levels of HN were decreased with age in humans and mice, and even suggesting that HNG works through the regulation of IRS-1/mTOR insulin signaling in the hippocampus, HNG increases the activity of autophagy and decreases Aβ deposition in the brain, and improves learning ability and memory of AD mice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC2709436/
https://www.ncbi.nlm...les/PMC4873641/
https://academic.oup...12/4511/2422742
https://www.ncbi.nlm...pubmed/29058763