MOTS-c
Mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rRNA type-c
A mitochondrial-derived peptide that acts like an exercise mimetic in animal metabolic studies.
Class
Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP)
Half-life
Short
Evidence
Animal models
Animal models
Evidence comes primarily from rodent or other animal studies. Translation to humans is unproven.
Overview
MOTS-c is a peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA — one of a small family of 'mitochondrial-derived peptides' that act as signalling molecules between the mitochondria and the rest of the cell. It has drawn intense research interest as a potential exercise mimetic and metabolic regulator.
In rodent studies MOTS-c improves insulin sensitivity, promotes glucose uptake, and enhances metabolic flexibility, largely by activating the AMPK energy-sensing pathway — the same pathway exercise and metformin engage. Aged mice given MOTS-c showed improved physical capacity, and human MOTS-c levels decline with age.
Human evidence is essentially absent beyond observational associations. It is an exciting molecule in aging biology, but its translation to a safe, effective human intervention is unproven, and it is sold only as a research chemical.
How it works
- Activates AMPK, the cellular energy-sensing pathway, mimicking aspects of exercise and caloric restriction.
- Enhances glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity in muscle.
- Regulates metabolic homeostasis and can translocate to the nucleus to influence gene expression under stress.
- Improves metabolic flexibility and mitochondrial function in animal models.
What the research shows
Researched effects
- Improved insulin sensitivity and glucose handling in rodents
- Enhanced physical capacity and reduced age-related decline in aged mice
- Reduced diet-induced obesity in animal models
- Human MOTS-c levels correlate inversely with age and metabolic disease
Limitations & what it won't do
- No controlled human efficacy trials.
- Human dosing is extrapolated from animal work.
- Long-term human safety is uncharacterised.
- Not FDA approved.
Dosing protocols
These ranges reflect published trials and community protocols. They are reference information, not a prescription. Doses are per injection unless noted.
Metabolic / longevity protocol (community)
5–10 mgCommunity protocols vary widely. Documented for reference; human efficacy is unproven.
Reconstitution & measuring your dose
Handling
- Typical vial sizes
- 10 · 40 mg
- Suggested BAC water
- 2 mL
- Storage
- Lyophilised powder refrigerated at 2–8 °C, protected from light.
- After reconstitution
- Reconstituted: approximately 30 days refrigerated.
Why 2 mL? HTX carries MOTS-c as 10 mg and 40 mg vials. A 10 mg vial in 2 mL yields 5 mg/mL — a 5 mg dose lands on 100 units of a U-100 syringe, so many split it into two 50-unit draws. The 40 mg vial in 2 mL gives 20 mg/mL for smaller-volume dosing.
Dose calculator
Draw to
25units
= 0.25 mL · 200 mcg per unit
Concentration
20000 mcg/mL
Doses per vial
8
Side effects
Common
- Injection-site irritation
- Occasional fatigue
- Generally reported as well tolerated
Serious / rare
- Unknown — no human safety data
Contraindications & interactions
Do not use if you have
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive
No pregnancy safety data.
Use caution if you have
- Type 1 diabetes
Enhanced glucose uptake could contribute to hypoglycemia; coordinate with insulin.
- Hypoglycemia episodes
Improved insulin sensitivity may lower blood sugar.
Medication interactions
- monitorInsulin — Additive glucose-lowering; watch for hypoglycemia.
- monitorMetformin — Both activate AMPK; additive metabolic effect is plausible but unstudied.
What to monitor
- Fasting glucose
- Exercise capacity and energy
- Metabolic markers
Commonly combined with
Articles that mention MOTS-c
MOTS-c: common questions
Is MOTS-c approved for human use?
Most research peptides, including MOTS-c, are not FDA-approved for general human use and are sold as research chemicals "not for human consumption." Check the legal-status and evidence badges above, and consult a licensed physician — this page is educational only.
How strong is the evidence for MOTS-c?
On this site MOTS-c is graded "Animal models". Evidence comes primarily from rodent or other animal studies. Translation to humans is unproven. We grade every claim so you can weigh it honestly rather than by hype.
How is MOTS-c reconstituted and dosed?
See the protocols and reconstitution details above for reference ranges, then use the dose calculator to convert a vial's mg, your bacteriostatic-water volume, and target dose into exact insulin-syringe units. Dosing shown is a reference, not a recommendation.
What should I screen for before considering MOTS-c?
Run your goals, medical history, and current medications through the assessment — it flags contraindications and interactions and will hard-stop unsafe matches — and confirm everything with a licensed physician. Any use is at your own risk.
References
- Lee C et al. — The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasisCell Metabolism 2015;21:443-454
- Reynolds JC et al. — MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulatorNature Communications 2021;12:470
Research & educational information only — not medical advice.
You must be 18 or older to use this site. The peptides described are presented as research chemicals intended for research purposes only. Most are not approved by the FDA for human use. Dosing ranges reflect what has appeared in the scientific literature or community protocols and are not prescriptions. Nothing here replaces evaluation by a licensed physician who knows your full medical history.
Want to know if MOTS-c fits your goals and history?
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