MOTS-c
A small peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA. In mice it improved insulin sensitivity and limited weight gain on a high-fat diet; it hasn't been tested as a treatment in people.
- Evidence
- Primarily preclinical research
- Half-life
- Not known
- Sources
- 2 cited
Is MOTS-c FDA-approved?
Not approved by the FDA. Products sold online as "research chemicals" aren't checked for purity, sterility or dose.
Overview
MOTS-c was discovered in 2015. In mice it improved insulin sensitivity, prevented weight gain on a high-fat diet and improved physical capacity in older animals. Human research mostly measures natural MOTS-c levels in blood; trials of injected MOTS-c haven't been published.
How it works
It activates AMPK, a cell "fuel gauge" that exercise also switches on. Under stress it can also move into the cell nucleus and change which genes are active.
How long does MOTS-c stay in the body?
Not established in people.
What it's studied for
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Exercise capacity and aging (mice)
Related: 5-Amino-1MQ, SLU-PP-332, HGH Fragment 176-191, Adipotide.
Sources
The studies and prescribing labels this page is written from.
- The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab, 2015 PubMed
- MOTS-c: A promising mitochondrial-derived peptide for therapeutic exploitation. Front Endocrinol, 2023 PubMed
