Research information only, not medical advice. Research peptide, not approved for human use anywhere. Up for an FDA advisory committee vote on July 23, 2026 (evaluated indication: Obesity and osteoporosis). Removed from the FDA 'do not compound' list in April 2026 but not yet compoundable.
MOTS-c at a glance
As of June 2026 the human evidence is limited; most data is preclinical. See the indexed studies below, graded by evidence level.
The peptides on the agenda are covered in the July 2026 FDA peptide meeting .
Evidence profile
125 studies- Human RCT 1 · 1%
- Human trial 15 · 12%
- Review 14 · 11%
- Animal 26 · 21%
- In-vitro 16 · 13%
- Unknown 53 · 42%
The longer the green, the stronger the human evidence. For most research peptides the bar is dominated by animal and in-vitro work, which is a signal to read every claim carefully.
Regulatory status
- 2026-04-22 US-FDA
Removed from the FDA 503A 'do not compound' Category 2 (nominations withdrawn) — still not eligible for compounding. source
- 2026-07-23 US-FDA · upcoming
FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee vote (evaluated indication: Obesity and osteoporosis); docket FDA-2025-N-6895. source
Clinical trials
- NCT03878706 RECRUITING
The Cardiovascular Effect of GLP-1 Agonist, SGLT2 Inhibitor and Their Combination
- NCT04027712 UNKNOWN
Platelet Reactivity, B-amyloid, MOTS-c and Mortality of Type II Diabetics With CAD
- NCT06133946 ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Cohort Of DEafness-gene Screening
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MOTS-c for Improving Insulin Sensitivity in Adults With Prediabetes and Overweight/Obesity
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Comparison of the Effects of General Anesthesia and Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia on Ferroptosis, Humanin and MOTS-c Levels in Renal Transplantation
Indexed research
Sorted by evidence level, strongest first.
- Human RCT 2021Abstract 415: Effect of aerobic and resistance exercise on the mitochondrial peptide MOTSc in Hispanic and non-Hispanic breast cancer survivors
This randomized controlled trial found that a 16-week aerobic and resistance exercise intervention increased MOTS-c levels in non-Hispanic but not Hispanic breast cancer survivors.
- Human trial 2026Reduced Circulating MOTS-c Levels in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Reflect Integrated Autoimmune and Metabolic Dysregulation: A Cross-Sectional Study
This cross-sectional study found that circulating MOTS-c levels are significantly lower in patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and are independently associated with insulin resistance and autoimmune burden.
- Human trial 2026Elevated Serum Nardilysin Is Inversely Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in Kidney Transplant Recipients
This observational study in kidney transplant recipients found that higher serum nardilysin levels were associated with lower odds of prevalent cardiovascular disease.
- Human trial 2026MOTS-c is associated with oxidative stress and arterial stiffness in peritoneal dialysis patients: a pilot study
This pilot study in 32 peritoneal dialysis patients found associations between MOTS-c levels, oxidative stress markers, and arterial stiffness, suggesting a potential role for MOTS-c as a biomarker.
- Human trial 2026The Association Between Serum MOTS-c Levels and Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Cross-Sectional Study
This cross-sectional study found that lower postoperative serum MOTS-c levels are independently associated with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing PCI.
- Human trial 2026Are serum MOTS-c levels and MOTS-c m.1382A>C polymorphism related to polycystic ovary syndrome?
This study found no significant difference in serum MOTS-c levels between adolescents with and without PCOS, and all participants had the wild-type MOTS-c genotype.
- Human trial 2026Reduced serum and skeletal muscle MOTS c levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction
This study found reduced MOTS-c levels in serum and skeletal muscle of women with PCOS, associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic parameters.
- Human trial 2026Systemic MOTS-c levels are increased in adults with obesity in association with metabolic dysregulation and remain unchanged after weight loss
This study found that circulating MOTS-c levels are elevated in obese adults and remain unchanged after weight loss, suggesting a compensatory metabolic response.
- Human trial 2025MOTS-C levels ın ındividuals with and without obesity and ıts association with ınflammation, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction
This study found no significant difference in serum MOTS-c levels between individuals with obesity and those with normal weight, but age and insulin resistance were significant predictors of MOTS-c levels.
- Human trial 2024Expression Patterns of MOTS-c in Adrenal Tumors: Results from a Preliminary Study
This preliminary study examines MOTS-c expression in adrenal tumors compared to normal tissue, finding decreased mRNA and altered protein levels across tumor types.
+ 115 more studies indexed for MOTS-c.
Frequently asked questions
- Is MOTS-c approved for human use?
- Research peptide, not approved for human use anywhere. Up for an FDA advisory committee vote on July 23, 2026 (evaluated indication: Obesity and osteoporosis). Removed from the FDA 'do not compound' list in April 2026 but not yet compoundable.
- What does the research on MOTS-c show?
- As of June 2026 the human evidence is limited; most data is preclinical. See the indexed studies below, graded by evidence level.