A few days of MOTS-c shots in mice lowered levels of two proteins linked to inflammation, hinting it might help calm down the body’s immune response.
Scientific Claim
In mice, acute MOTS-c treatment (4 days) reduced circulating levels of inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNFα, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect.
Original Statement
“Basal levels of circulating IL-6 and TNFα... implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and insulin resistance, were significantly reduced by MOTS-c treatment.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design cannot support claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study uses 'reduced' as if causal, but the design is limited to mice with no mechanistic link to inflammation pathways established. Only association is supported.
More Accurate Statement
“In mice, acute MOTS-c treatment (4 days) was associated with reduced circulating levels of inflammatory markers IL-6 and TNFα, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect.”
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance
This study shows that MOTS-c helps mice stay healthy and avoid obesity and diabetes, but it never checked if it lowered the body’s inflammation signals like IL-6 or TNFα, so we can’t say it does that.