Mediterranean Diet Linked to Cardioprotective Mitochondrial Proteins Humanin and SHMOOSE

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of mortality, often driven by factors like oxidative stress and inflammation. The Mediterranean diet is widely recognized for its cardioprotective benefits, but the precise molecular mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between Mediterranean diet adherence and specific mitochondrial microproteins, Humanin and SHMOOSE, and explore Humanin's potential role in mitigating oxidative stress.

The study revealed a significant positive association between higher Mediterranean diet adherence and elevated plasma levels of both Humanin and SHMOOSE in the human cohort. This suggests that dietary patterns can influence the production or stability of these protective mitochondrial peptides. In vitro investigations further elucidated a crucial mechanistic link: Humanin was found to directly interact with Nox2, an enzyme known to promote oxidative stress. > This direct interaction of Humanin with Nox2 resulted in a reduction of Nox2 activity, thereby decreasing the production of harmful reactive oxygen species and demonstrating a cardioprotective effect at a cellular level. This finding highlights a novel pathway through which Humanin may contribute to cardiovascular health by modulating oxidative stress.