What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a short peptide encoded by the DNA of the mitochondria, the power plants of the cell. Such mitochondrial peptides are a relatively young research field. In a research context, MOTS-c is linked to metabolism, insulin sensitivity and adaptation to training.
It is used subcutaneously, dosed in milligrams. It ships as a freeze-dried powder you dissolve in bacteriostatic water.
Comparison
Compared with related compounds
Where each compound acts, as stated in the TPD lexicon. Tap a card to open its entry.
How it works
MOTS-c engages the cell's energy metabolism, among other things via the enzyme switch AMPK, which becomes active under energy shortage and training. In mouse studies this improved insulin sensitivity and protected against diet-induced weight gain and insulin resistance.
Simplified, MOTS-c acts like a signal telling the body to "handle energy more efficiently", similar to what exercise does. Hence the interest in the metabolic and longevity context.
Where it acts
Indirect targets, several organs
Tap a point or a card. Colour = target, grey = effect seen in studies.
- Skeletal muscle
The body's own MOTS-c rose 11.9-fold in muscle after cycling (measurement, nothing given)3
Observed in trials - Fat tissue
Brown fat more active, less fat storage (mice)9
AMPK - Liver
More fat burning, less fatty liver (mice)8
Observed in trials - Pancreas
Fewer aged islet cells, better glucose tolerance (mice)10
Observed in trials
Targets in the ChEMBL database15
Four recorded mechanisms, type of action on each card.
- Gene
- PRKAA1
- UniProt
- Q13131
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL4045
- Action
- Activated indirectly via the folate cycle and AICAR
- Gene
- PRKAA2
- UniProt
- P54646
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL2116
- Action
- Activated indirectly, weaker effect in cells without it
- Gene
- NFE2L2
- UniProt
- Q16236
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL1075094
- Action
- Interaction in the nucleus under stress
- Gene
- HSF1
- UniProt
- Q00613
- ChEMBL
- CHEMBL5869
- Action
- Needed for the stress adaptation of muscle cells
What you need
For subcutaneous use you need:
Supplies
5 things, numbered as in the picture
Tick off what you already have. Vial and BAC water are our real shop photos at the same size.
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MOTS-c vial
The MOTS-c vial with the freeze-dried powder
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Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water to dissolve it
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U-100 insulin syringes
U-100 insulin syringes
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Alcohol swabs
Alcohol swabs for the vial cap and the skin
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Sharps container
A sealable sharps container for used needles
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Reconstitution
The powder is dissolved in bacteriostatic water. How much water you add sets the concentration and therefore how many units you draw for your dose on the insulin syringe.
Use the peptide calculator for this: pick your vial size and the water volume to see the concentration and units per dose.
When dissolving, just add the bac water, it does not matter if it hits the powder directly. Then swirl or shake until everything has dissolved, both are fine.
Step by step
Dissolving the powder
Four steps, the same for every vial size.
- 1Wipe the cap
Clean the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab.
- 2Add BAC water
Just add it, it does not matter if it hits the powder directly.
- 3Swirl or shake
Until everything has dissolved, both are fine.
- 4Draw up
With the U-100 insulin syringe.
Injection
The injection is subcutaneous, into the fat layer under the skin, classically the abdomen (keep clear of the area around the navel), the front and the inner side of the thigh or the back of the upper arm.
Injection
Where and at what angle
Pick a spot or switch the angle. Subcutaneous means: into the fat layer, not the muscle.
Rotate the spot each time, never the same one twice in a row.
Rule of thumb: where there is more fat under the skin, insert straight at 90 degrees. In lean people with little fat, 45 degrees, so the needle stays in the fat layer. Simplified diagram.
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Clean the spot with an alcohol swab and let it dry
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Pinch up a small fold of skin
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Insert the needle: at 90 degrees where there is more fat under the skin, at 45 degrees in lean people with little fat
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Inject slowly, wait a moment, then withdraw
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Put the needle straight into the sharps container
Rotate the site.
Dosing
Dosing
Dosing, titration and syringe
Loading the dosing information …
- Getting started and stepping up, drawn as a staircase
- Units on the U-100 syringe for every step
- How long one vial lasts
What the research shows
The central work (Lee, 2015) described MOTS-c as a mitochondrial peptide that promotes metabolic balance in mice and protects against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance, mediated via AMPK. That is a strong preclinical basis. Large human studies are still pending, though. That belongs in the picture honestly.
The study with a link is in the source block below.
Study results
What the trials measured
Interactive: switch tabs, tap points, show or hide arms. Arms are named relative to each other, no dosing advice.
Fastest running stage reached3
Share of mice that made it to the last, fastest stage of the treadmill test
Values from the full text of the study. Animal experiments with small groups, not transferable to humans. With MOTS-c the old mice also ran twice as long.
Insulin action in the clamp test1
More glucose needed to keep blood sugar stable under insulin, high-fat diet, 7 days
The study states about 30 percent. The more glucose is needed, the stronger insulin acts. Measured in mice, not in humans.
The body's own MOTS-c during cycling3
Rise compared with baseline, 10 young men
Only measurements of the body's own MOTS-c, without giving MOTS-c. Values from the study, clearly in muscle, less in the blood.
The body's own MOTS-c in the blood4
Healthy men, difference from the young group, measured fasting
Observation without giving MOTS-c: only what the body makes itself was measured. Values from the full text of the study.
Research status
Where the research stands
Registered trials with status, participants and results. As of 26 Oct 2026. 14
- Preclinical Cell assays and mice
- Phase 1 1 trial, 1 completed
- Phase 2 no registered trial
- Phase 3 no registered trial
- Approval not yet
Apart from 1 phase 1 trial there is no registered trial in phase 2 or later. 14
Side effects
There is no solid human data on tolerability yet. Mostly mild things are reported: injection-site reactions, occasionally tiredness. Because long-term safety data are missing too, cycles with breaks make more sense than continuous running.
Practice
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Run it in cycles over a few weeks, then a break.
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Combines well with training, both address energy metabolism.
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Sleep and nutrition are the base, MOTS-c builds on that.
Storage
The undissolved powder is robust, normal room temperature (around 20 to 25 degrees) is fine, ideally kept in the dark. The reconstituted solution goes into the fridge (2 to 8 degrees) and stays stable there for at least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency, in practice considerably longer. The bacteriostatic water brings a preservative that keeps the dissolved form stable for longer.
Shelf life
How long it keeps
Robust, no fridge needed. Keeps for several months without trouble.
At least 4 to 6 months with barely any loss of potency. The bacteriostatic water brings a preservative.
- Keep it dark
- Dissolved: 2 to 8 degrees
- Note the mixing date on the vial
