MOTS-c injections made muscle cells more responsive to insulin by activating AMPK and increasing GLUT4, which helps move glucose into cells.

MOTS-c made muscle cells produce more GLUT4 (a sugar transporter) and turned on AMPK (an energy sensor), two key players in how muscles use sugar.

Obese mice treated with MOTS-c had lower levels of ANGPTL4 in their muscles, which may help prevent fat buildup.

Mice given MOTS-c had more ANGPTL4 protein in their muscles and less fatty acids, which may help prevent muscle damage from fat buildup.

As mice get older, their bodies make less of a peptide called MOTS-c, especially in muscles and blood—and when they fast, levels drop too, hinting that this peptide responds to energy needs.

MOTS-c reduces visceral and hepatic fat and improves insulin sensitivity even on a high-fat diet by activating AMPK, the cellular energy sensor, which enhances glucose uptake, insulin signaling, and fuel efficiency.