Circulating humanin is lower in coronary artery disease and is a prognostic biomarker for major cardiac events in humans.

Abstract Background Humanin is an endogenous mitochondria-derived peptide that plays critical roles in oxidative stress, inflammation and CAD. In this study, we measured the levels of circulating humanin, markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in patients with unstable angina and MI and studied the relationship between these parameters and major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Methods A total of 327 subjects were recruited from the inpatient department at First Hospital of Jilin University and divided into 3 groups [control, angina and myocardial infarction (MI)] based on the clinical data and the results of the angiography. Serum humanin and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured at the time of initial admission. The hospitalization data and MACE of all patients were collected. Results Circulating humanin levels were lower in the angina group compared to controls [124.22 ± 63.02 vs. 157.77 ± 99.93 pg/ml, p  Conclusions Lower circulating humanin levels was an independent risk factor for CAD, and a potential prognostic marker for mild CAD. General significance Humanin may become a new index for the diagnosis and treatment of CAD.