Overview
A genuinely interesting discovery — a hormone encoded by the mitochondrial genome rather than the nucleus. The exercise-mimetic and metabolic findings in mice are striking. Human data begins and ends with observational plasma-level associations.
Not approved for human use anywhereNo approval anywhere for human use. Sold under research-use labelling. Not approved for human use.
| Regulatory status | Not approved. Active academic research subject; no completed human efficacy trials. |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Mitochondrial-derived peptide — 16 amino acids encoded in mitochondrial DNA |
| Route | Subcutaneous (research) |
| Half-life | Short; not well characterised in humans |
| Evidence rating |
1/5 Minimal
Evidence rating 1 out of 5: Minimal
Animal or laboratory data only. No human efficacy evidence. |
| Studied in | Mouse metabolic and exercise studies; human observational work correlating plasma MOTS-c with metabolic health, exercise and longevity phenotypes. |
How it works
Translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress and regulates adaptive nuclear gene expression, notably via AMPK activation and the folate-methionine cycle. Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose utilisation in skeletal muscle in animal models.
Evidence base
Rated 1 of 5 — Minimal. Animal or laboratory data only. No human efficacy evidence.
- Legitimate and active academic science; zero human interventional evidence.
Benefits & potential uses
Bars indicate how well each claim is supported: three = strong human evidence, two = moderate, one = preliminary or preclinical.
-
Improved insulin sensitivity in mice Preliminary
Reverses diet-induced insulin resistance and obesity in rodent models.
-
Exercise-mimetic effects in animals Preliminary
Improves running capacity and muscle metabolic function in aged mice.
-
Association with longevity variants Preliminary
A mitochondrial DNA variant affecting MOTS-c is associated with exceptional longevity in a Japanese population — a real human genetic finding.
-
Rises with exercise in humans Preliminary
Plasma MOTS-c increases acutely with exercise, consistent with a role in metabolic adaptation.
Risks, cons & cautions
Bars indicate seriousness: three = serious or common, two = moderate, one = minor.
-
No human interventional trials Serious
Nobody has run a controlled trial of administering MOTS-c to people. All human data is correlational.
-
Unknown dosing and pharmacokinetics Serious
Circulating protocols are invented, not derived from human PK data.
-
Broad transcriptional effects Moderate evidence
A peptide that alters nuclear gene expression programs has correspondingly broad potential for unintended consequences.
-
Unregulated supply Serious
Research-chemical market.
Who should avoid it
- Human use outside research settings
If used under medical supervision, monitor
- No validated monitoring exists
Regulatory & legal status
Not approved for human use.
Infographic
Where to read further
We link to live literature searches rather than a frozen citation list, so you always see current results — including anything published after our last review.
- PubMed — all published literature on MOTS-c
- PubMed — randomized controlled trials only
- ClinicalTrials.gov — registered human trials
Related peptides in Longevity & Mitochondrial
Terms used on this page
- Insulin Resistance
- Insulin resistance is a state in which a given insulin concentration produces less than the expected effect on glucose uptake, hepatic glucose output or lipolysis.
- Preclinical Study and Animal Model
- Preclinical studies are the laboratory, cell and animal experiments done before any human exposure, establishing mechanism, target engagement and the toxicology package that permits a first trial.
- Metabolic Adaptation
- Metabolic adaptation is the fall in energy expenditure after weight loss that exceeds what the smaller body size and composition alone would predict.
- Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
- A randomised controlled trial assigns participants to intervention or control by chance and follows them prospectively, which is what allows an outcome difference to be attributed to the treatment itself.
This page is educational information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your medical history, medications, or risk factors. Do not start, stop or change any treatment based on it. Speak to a qualified healthcare professional who knows your case.