Investigation of the relationship between Hashimoto disease and humanin peptide levels

Hashimoto's disease is the most common autoimmune thyroid dysfunction. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common cause of acquired hypothyroidism and is histopathologically characterized by diffuse mononuclear cell infiltration in the thyroid parenchyma, fibrotic development, and parenchymal atrophy. Anti-Thyroid peroxidase (A-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (A-TG) autoantibodies, which are elevated in Hashimoto's disease, damage the thyroid gland and lead to its gradual destruction. Energy homeostasis is the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure in living organisms. Mitochondria-derived peptides are a new class of bioactive peptides. Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived peptide called MTRNR2L, encoded by the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene MT-RNR2 in the mitochondrial genome. This peptide regulates the maintenance of metabolic balance, energy homeostasis and oxidative reactions. It is also stated that this peptide has a protective role in osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the relationship between humanin peptide and Hashimoto's disease is unknown. In light of this information, the aim of our study is to investigate changes in humanin peptide levels in Hashimoto patients. For this purpose, individuals without Hashimoto's diagnosis were included in the control group and individuals with Hashimoto's diagnosis were included in the Hashimoto group. Thyroid function tests (FT3, FT4, TSH, A-TPO and A-TG), hematology and biochemistry parameters were determined from routine blood samples taken from the patients with an autoanalyzer. FT3/FT4, FT3 index, FT4 index, TSH index, FTHI and FT3I/TSHI ratios were calculated. In addition, serum humanin peptide levels were measured by ELISA. The female gender distribution and mean age in the Hashimoto group were found to be higher compared to the control group. In addition, TSH, A-TG and A-TPO values were found to be high in Hashimoto patients. However, no significant change was found in other thyroid function tests, routine biochemistry values, hematology parameters and indices. Humanin peptide levels were found to be significantly higher in the Hashimoto's group than in the control group. In addition, a positive correlation was found between humanin and A-TPO (r: 0.241; p: 0.024) and a negative correlation was found between potassium (r: -0.251; p: 0.018). However, no significant correlation was found with other parameters. These findings suggest that Humanin peptide may have a role in the development of Hashimoto's disease and may be a potential biomarker candidate.