Mitochondrial-derived peptide

MOTS-c

Preclinical native-peptide evidence alongside a registered human study; registration is not a reported result.

Evidence Maturity · M1 - Preclinical evidence; human trial registered Investigational
Baseline reviewed: September 19, 2026; maturity scope corrected October 15, 2026Source-labeled

Signal summary

MOTS-c is a good example of an evidence transition: historically dominated by animal and mechanistic work, now entering a meaningful randomized human trial.

Signal interpretation: MOTS-c belongs on the site because it lets readers watch a hypothesis move from preclinical enthusiasm toward real human testing - without pretending the result is known in advance.

Study details

Doses studied — not a dosing recommendation. Regimens belong to the named study, formulation and population.

Registered phase 2a insulin-sensitivity trial

Population
Adults with prediabetes and overweight/obesity; estimated enrollment 120.
Doses and administration studied
Fixed-dose subcutaneous injection once daily; numerical dose not disclosed in the reviewed registry entry.
Duration
12 weeks of treatment
Reported finding / status
Insulin sensitivity is being studied; no results were available in the reviewed record.
Interpretation and limitations
Registration does not establish human efficacy or an established dosing regimen. Estimated enrollment is not the number who completed treatment.

Source tier D · Read the original study or record

Outcome Evidence Strength

Weight change0/5
Fat-mass change0/5
Lean-mass change0/5
Strength / function benefit0/5

Awaiting human efficacy results. Preclinical hypotheses are not evidence of a clinical recomposition benefit.

Editorial evidence ratings for the cited outcomes, not effect size or treatment recommendations. A lean-mass score may describe loss. 0 means not established in the reviewed evidence, not proof of no effect. Read the rubric.

What is actually established?

  • The captured Phase 2a registration describes a planned study in adults with prediabetes and overweight/obesity; current recruitment was not reverified.
  • The study is designed to test whether 12 weeks of investigational MOTS-c improves insulin sensitivity versus placebo.
  • The registered study plans an estimated 120 participants and standardized lifestyle counseling.

What is not established?

  • No human efficacy results are established in the reviewed Phase 2a record.
  • Preclinical metabolic effects do not establish human weight-loss or body-recomposition efficacy.
  • Broad anti-aging or performance claims remain outside the mature human evidence base.

Evidence sources

A = regulatory/official • B = peer-reviewed randomized/meta-analysis • C = peer-reviewed review/observational • D = registered trial • E = sponsor-reported • F = preclinical

Source tier D: Registered Phase 2a trial
MOTS-c for Improving Insulin Sensitivity in Adults With Prediabetes and Overweight/Obesity
Educational use only. This page summarizes research evidence and regulatory status. Study doses describe research, not prescribing instructions. This page does not provide personalized dosing, self-use protocols, sourcing, or a recommendation to use this therapy.

October 15 maturity correction

M1 describes the reviewed native-MOTS-c evidence. A planned trial does not establish preliminary human findings, and CB4211 analogue exposure cannot substitute for native-peptide results. The four outcome scores remain 0/5 in the reviewed record.