When mice fasted, MOTS-c levels dropped in muscles and blood but stayed the same in brain and heart.
Scientific Claim
Fasting in mice was associated with decreased MOTS-c levels in skeletal muscle and plasma, but not in brain or heart tissues.
Original Statement
“Fasting lowered endogenous expression of MOTS-c in certain metabolically active and mitochondria-rich tissues (skeletal muscle and testes) as well as in plasma, whereas homeostatic tissues (such as brain and heart) showed sustained levels (Figure 1M-N).”
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 ('lowered') but the design is limited to mice and 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
This study didn't test what happens to MOTS-c when mice fast—it only tested what happens when scientists give mice extra MOTS-c, which helped them stay healthy. So we can't say if fasting changes MOTS-c levels.