Muscle cells engineered to produce MOTS-c used up glucose from their environment faster than normal cells.
Scientific Claim
In L6 rat myocytes stably overexpressing MOTS-c, glucose clearance from the culture media was accelerated compared to control cells.
Original Statement
“L6-MOTS-c-ST cells showed accelerated media glucose clearance (Figure 5I).”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
overstated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The study uses causal language ('showed accelerated') but the design is limited to cell lines, which cannot establish causation in humans. The claim should reflect association only.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance
The study says MOTS-c helps the body use insulin better and fight diabetes in mice, but it never tested this exact peptide in rat muscle cells grown in a dish, so we can't say for sure it speeds up sugar removal in those cells.