MOTS-c helps mice burn fat better
The mitochondrial‐derived peptide MOTS‐c is a regulator of plasma metabolites and enhances insulin sensitivity
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists gave a special peptide called MOTS-c to fat mice and found it helped their bodies burn fat more efficiently and lowered blood sugar. It changed levels of certain fats and chemicals in the blood that are linked to diabetes and obesity.
Surprising Findings
MOTS-c reduces multiple fat molecules linked to diabetes — not just one
Most treatments target one pathway, but MOTS-c simultaneously lowers 5 different fat-related metabolites across 3 metabolic pathways (sphingolipid, monoacylglycerol, dicarboxylate), which is rare and suggests broad metabolic reprogramming.
Practical Takeaways
Consider lifestyle changes that naturally boost MOTS-c, like exercise or fasting — since MOTS-c is an 'exercise mimetic'.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists gave a special peptide called MOTS-c to fat mice and found it helped their bodies burn fat more efficiently and lowered blood sugar. It changed levels of certain fats and chemicals in the blood that are linked to diabetes and obesity.
Surprising Findings
MOTS-c reduces multiple fat molecules linked to diabetes — not just one
Most treatments target one pathway, but MOTS-c simultaneously lowers 5 different fat-related metabolites across 3 metabolic pathways (sphingolipid, monoacylglycerol, dicarboxylate), which is rare and suggests broad metabolic reprogramming.
Practical Takeaways
Consider lifestyle changes that naturally boost MOTS-c, like exercise or fasting — since MOTS-c is an 'exercise mimetic'.
Publication
Journal
Physiological Reports
Year
2019
Authors
Su-Jeong Kim, Brendan Miller, H. Mehta, Jialin Xiao, J. Wan, T. Arpawong, K. Yen, P. Cohen
Related Content
Claims (9)
Tesamorelin and MOTS-c act synergistically: tesamorelin enhances fat mobilization, fat quality, and mitochondrial capacity for fat burning, while MOTS-c improves mitochondrial fuel utilization efficiency through AMPK activation, creating a complementary supply-and-utilization mechanism.
Obese mice given MOTS-c injections for three days had lower blood sugar levels than mice that didn't receive the treatment.
MOTS-c injections in obese mice lowered a specific blood fat molecule called sphingosine 1-phosphate by about 14% compared to untreated mice.
Obese mice treated with MOTS-c had lower levels of a specific sphingolipid called palmitoyl sphingomyelin, which is associated with insulin resistance.
MOTS-c injections in obese mice reduced a type of fat molecule called 2-oleoylglycerol by about 32% compared to untreated mice.