Gestational diabetes mellitus is a frequently diagnosed
glucose metabolic disorder during pregnancy.
Diabetes mellitus has been found to pose important health risks to the developing fetus, mother, and offspring. Here, we investigated the protective effects of
S14G-humanin, a potent
humanin analogue, against maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes in mice with
diabetes mellitus. The results show that
S14G-humanin administration reduced the
blood glucose levels and elevated the serum
insulin levels in
diabetes mellitus mice. The parameters of serum lipid metabolism including
low-density lipoprotein, total
cholesterol, and
high-density lipoprotein in
diabetes mellitus mice were also decreased after
S14G-humanin administration. Intervention with
S14G-humanin also increased the fetus alive ratio and fetal length, as well as decreased fetal and placenta weights. In addition, we demonstrate that
S14G-humanin elevated the activity of the anti-oxidative
enzymes catalase,
glutathione peroxidase, and
superoxide dismutase and reduced the inflammatory
cytokines levels in the placentas of
diabetes mellitus mice. The significantly increased endoplasmic reticulum stress in the placentas of
diabetes mellitus mice was also attenuated by
S14G-humanin administration. Taken together,
S14G-humanin exerted protective roles in improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Our findings indicate that
S14G-humanin might be an effective intervention approach for women with
diabetes mellitus.