Peptide Guide + Calculator
MOTS-C Reconstitution Calculator & Guide
Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide
MOTS-C is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide being studied for metabolic signaling, insulin sensitivity, exercise physiology, aging biology, and related conditions. Most evidence for administered MOTS-C remains preclinical, although a Phase 2a human trial is now recruiting. This page explains the current evidence, regulatory and sports status, common claims, and educational reconstitution math.
Evidence Snapshot
MOTS-C research at a glance
Standardized regulatory and evidence context so research compounds, investigational drugs, and approved medications are not treated as if they have the same level of human evidence.
Regulatory status
Not FDA-approvedDevelopment / evidence stage
Preclinical / human biology evidence
No established development program
Human evidence level
No meaningful direct human therapeutic evidencePrimary mechanism
Mitochondrial-derived signaling peptide associated with cellular stress and metabolic signaling pathways including AMPK in preclinical research.
WADA context
Non-approved substance — S0 may applyPrimary targets
Human intervention evidence
Human studies of endogenous circulating MOTS-C are not the same as studies administering MOTS-C as a drug. Direct administered-human therapeutic evidence remains lacking.
Human biology evidence
Naturally occurring MOTS-C has been measured in humans and studied in relation to physiology and exercise, providing human-biology evidence for the endogenous peptide.
Key takeaway
MOTS-C has interesting human biology but very little evidence that administering the peptide produces a therapeutic benefit in humans.
Evidence labels describe the research base and regulatory context; they are not treatment, dosing, or use recommendations. Review dates describe the last BACToBasics source check for this evidence summary. Anti-doping rules can change and should be verified with the applicable authority.
MOTS-C Reconstitution Calculator
Enter the vial amount, liquid volume, and amount you want to calculate. BACToBasics will automatically calculate concentration, liquid volume, and U-100 syringe-unit equivalents.
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Calculator values are educational math inputs only. They are not recommended preparation amounts, doses, or use protocols.
MOTS-C Reconstitution Math
Reconstitution math starts with the amount contained in the vial and the liquid volume used in the calculation. Dividing the vial amount by the liquid volume gives the resulting concentration.
Example vial amount
10 mg
| Liquid Volume | Calculation | Concentration |
|---|---|---|
| 1 mL | 10 mg ÷ 1 mL | 10 mg/mL |
| 2 mL | 10 mg ÷ 2 mL | 5 mg/mL |
| 3 mL | 10 mg ÷ 3 mL | 3.3333 mg/mL |
This table demonstrates concentration math only. The liquid volumes shown are examples for comparison and are not preparation recommendations.
More Reconstitution Tools
Need to compare different liquid volumes or convert between mg, mcg, mL, and U-100 units? Use the dedicated BACToBasics calculator tools.
What is MOTS-C?
MOTS-C, short for mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c, is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome. It was described in 2015 and belongs to a broader group of mitochondrial-derived peptides that may act as signaling molecules between mitochondria and the rest of the cell.
How does MOTS-C work?
Experimental research suggests that MOTS-C influences cellular energy metabolism and stress-response pathways. Early work linked MOTS-C to inhibition of the folate-purine pathway, increased intracellular AICAR-like signaling, and activation of AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK. AMPK is an important metabolic sensor involved in glucose uptake, fatty-acid metabolism, and adaptation to energetic stress.
What does the original research show?
The 2015 discovery paper reported that administered MOTS-C improved insulin sensitivity and reduced diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mouse models. Skeletal muscle appeared to be an important target tissue. These results established biological plausibility but were preclinical and do not establish the same effects in humans receiving MOTS-C.
MOTS-C and exercise
MOTS-C is often described as an exercise-related mitochondrial peptide. Human studies have shown that endogenous MOTS-C levels can change in response to exercise, while animal studies have reported improved physical performance after administered MOTS-C. This does not mean that injected MOTS-C has been proven to reproduce the health effects of exercise in people.
MOTS-C and aging research
A 2021 study found that administered MOTS-C improved physical capacity in young, middle-aged, and older mice and increased physical performance when treatment was started late in life. The same paper also reported exercise-related changes in endogenous MOTS-C in humans. These findings are frequently cited in longevity discussions, but controlled human trials of administered MOTS-C are still needed before anti-aging benefits can be established.
MOTS-C and insulin sensitivity
Insulin sensitivity is one of the main areas of MOTS-C research. Preclinical studies have reported improved glucose handling and insulin sensitivity in mouse models, which helped motivate further investigation for metabolic disease. Human observational studies also suggest that endogenous MOTS-C is related to metabolic physiology, but endogenous peptide measurements are not the same as evidence that administering synthetic MOTS-C improves insulin resistance in people.
Is MOTS-C being studied in humans?
Yes. As of 2026, a randomized Phase 2a study called MOTS-MET is recruiting adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. The trial is designed to evaluate whether 12 weeks of investigational MOTS-C improves insulin sensitivity compared with placebo and includes approximately 120 planned participants. No efficacy results have been posted yet, so it should not be treated as proof that MOTS-C works in humans.
MOTS-C for weight loss
MOTS-C is heavily marketed online for fat loss and body composition, largely because of mouse research involving obesity, insulin resistance, and energy metabolism. FDA's 2026 compounding review evaluated proposed uses including obesity and found the available human evidence insufficient to establish effectiveness. MOTS-C should therefore not be described as a clinically proven weight-loss treatment.
MOTS-C for osteoporosis
FDA's 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee review also evaluated MOTS-C-related bulk drug substances for proposed use in osteoporosis. FDA concluded that the available evidence was insufficient to establish effectiveness or an adequate safety basis for compounded use. Research interest in bone metabolism does not establish a proven osteoporosis treatment.
What is known about MOTS-C safety?
The safety profile of administered MOTS-C in humans is not established. FDA has cited the absence of adequate human exposure data in its compounding review and has raised concerns about peptide-related impurities, aggregation, active-ingredient characterization, and possible immunogenicity, particularly for injectable products. The ongoing Phase 2a trial includes formal safety monitoring, but results are not yet available.
Is MOTS-C FDA-approved?
No. MOTS-C is not an FDA-approved drug for obesity, insulin resistance, longevity, exercise performance, osteoporosis, or any other indication. In July 2026, FDA reviewed MOTS-C free base and MOTS-C acetate for possible inclusion on the 503A Bulks List and proposed that neither be included.
Is MOTS-C prohibited in competitive sports?
Yes. The World Anti-Doping Agency explicitly lists MOTS-C under S4.4.1 as an AMP-activated protein kinase activator. It is prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition, for athletes subject to WADA rules.
Research MOTS-C vs an approved medication
Products sold online as research MOTS-C should not be treated as equivalent to an FDA-approved pharmaceutical product. There is no FDA-approved MOTS-C product with an established clinical indication, standardized commercial formulation, validated prescribing information, or approved dosing regimen.
MOTS-C reconstitution math
Reconstitution calculations depend on the labeled amount in a vial and the liquid volume used. As a mathematical example, a 10mg vial combined with 2mL of liquid produces a concentration of 5mg per mL. BACToBasics uses examples like this only to demonstrate concentration, liquid-volume, and U-100 syringe-unit conversions rather than to provide MOTS-C dosing or preparation instructions.
Explore more about MOTS-C
12 linksComparisons, research records, development tracking, blends, and related guides are available here when you want to go deeper.
Explore more about MOTS-C
12 linksComparisons, research records, development tracking, blends, and related guides are available here when you want to go deeper.
Compare MOTS-C
Direct comparison pages are selected from the indexable BACToBasics comparison catalog and update automatically as that catalog grows.
Research, updates & development
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MOTS-C research & development updates
Open the public timeline of sourced research records and material development changes tracked by BACToBasics.
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ResearchMOTS-C research sources
Open 2 curated research records for MOTS-C.
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DevelopmentMOTS-C clinical development
Preclinical / human biology evidence · No established development program. Human biology is documented; no established approved or late-stage therapeutic program identified.
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Relevant glossary concepts
Definitions are matched against the guide's structured title, subtitle, description, and educational sections.
FDA-Approved
A status indicating that the FDA has approved a specific drug product for one or more labeled uses after reviewing the required evidence and manufacturing information.
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GlossaryMilliliter (mL)
A metric unit of liquid volume equal to one-thousandth of a liter.
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GlossaryConcentration
The amount of a substance contained in a given volume of liquid, such as mg/mL or mcg/mL.
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MOTS-C FAQ
Tap a question to expand only the answer you want to read.
Is MOTS-C FDA-approved?
No. MOTS-C is investigational and is not FDA-approved for any medical indication.
What does MOTS-C stand for?
MOTS-C stands for mitochondrial open reading frame of the 12S rRNA type-c. It is a 16-amino-acid peptide encoded within mitochondrial DNA.
Does MOTS-C improve insulin sensitivity?
Preclinical studies have reported improved insulin sensitivity in mice. A Phase 2a human study is now recruiting specifically to evaluate insulin sensitivity, but no efficacy results have been posted yet.
Does MOTS-C cause weight loss?
Animal studies have reported effects involving obesity and energy metabolism, but controlled human evidence has not yet established MOTS-C as an effective weight-loss treatment.
Is MOTS-C an exercise mimetic?
The term is commonly used because MOTS-C is linked to exercise-responsive metabolic pathways and administered MOTS-C improved physical capacity in animal studies. That does not mean it has been proven to replace or reproduce exercise benefits in humans.
Does exercise increase MOTS-C?
Some human studies have observed increases or trends toward increases in endogenous MOTS-C after endurance exercise, although findings vary between studies and protocols.
Is there human research on administered MOTS-C?
A Phase 2a randomized trial is currently recruiting adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity. As of 2026, no efficacy results from that trial have been posted.
Is MOTS-C safe?
Its safety profile as an administered drug is not established. FDA has identified important evidence gaps and potential concerns involving immunogenicity, peptide impurities, aggregation, and active-ingredient characterization.
Is MOTS-C banned by WADA?
Yes. MOTS-C is explicitly listed under WADA section S4.4.1 as an AMPK activator and is prohibited at all times for athletes covered by WADA rules.
How do you calculate MOTS-C reconstitution concentration?
Divide the labeled vial amount by the liquid volume. For example, 10mg divided by 2mL equals 5mg per mL. This is concentration math rather than a recommendation for how MOTS-C should be prepared.
Can the BACToBasics calculator handle MOTS-C math?
Yes. Enter a labeled vial amount and liquid volume to calculate concentration, equivalent liquid volume, U-100 syringe units, and approximate amounts per vial. BACToBasics provides educational math rather than medical or dosing advice.
Sources & References
6 sourcesOpen the references when you want to inspect the research and regulatory sources behind this guide.
Sources & References
6 sourcesOpen the references when you want to inspect the research and regulatory sources behind this guide.
FDA identifies major human-safety evidence gaps for MOTS-C and potential concerns involving immunogenicity, peptide impurities, aggregation, and active-ingredient characterization.
FDA reviewed MOTS-C free base and acetate for proposed obesity and osteoporosis uses and proposed that neither be included on the 503A Bulks List.
Recruiting randomized placebo-controlled study evaluating investigational MOTS-C for insulin sensitivity in adults with prediabetes and overweight or obesity.
Seminal preclinical paper identifying MOTS-C and reporting metabolic effects in cell and mouse models. DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2015.02.009.
Preclinical exercise and aging study that also measured endogenous MOTS-C responses to exercise in humans. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20790-0.
MOTS-C is explicitly listed under S4.4.1 as an AMPK activator and is prohibited at all times.
BACToBasics provides educational information and math tools only. This content is not medical advice, dosing advice, injection instruction, or a recommendation to use any peptide or medication.