Mitochondrial peptide

MOTS-c

MOTS-c is a peptide topic commonly associated with metabolic and longevity discussions online. This starter page keeps the topic in the review queue without endorsing those claims.

Regulatory watch Last reviewed 2026-07-03 Next review 2026-07-24

Evidence snapshot

Map claims to sources before publishing broader explanatory copy.

Scheduled for FDA advisory committee discussion in July 2026.

Likely to attract longevity-oriented claims that require careful source labeling.

High priority for a post-meeting refresh.

Tracked claims

MOTS-c is in the July 2026 FDA peptide review queue.

Evidence level: Primary regulatory

Sources: U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Refresh regulatory context before adding broader claim coverage.

A landmark preclinical study identified MOTS-c as a mitochondrial-derived peptide that improves insulin sensitivity and prevents obesity in mice.

Evidence level: Peer reviewed

Sources: Cell Metabolism / PubMed / NCBI

The Lee et al. 2015 Cell Metabolism study is the key primary source. Results are from mouse models only; no human interventional trials have confirmed therapeutic effects.

Observational human studies report that MOTS-c levels change with exercise, but no interventional trials confirm therapeutic benefits.

Evidence level: Peer reviewed

Sources: PubMed / NCBI

Exercise-associated changes in MOTS-c are correlational. Do not present as evidence that MOTS-c supplementation improves metabolic outcomes in humans.

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Sources on this page

Source records are stored in the repo and linked from each claim.

July 23-24, 2026 Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee meeting

U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Primary regulatory · 2026-07-23 · accessed 2026-06-30

FDA advisory committee meeting notice listing multiple peptide bulk substances scheduled for discussion.

Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks

U.S. Food and Drug Administration · Primary regulatory · 2026-01-01 · accessed 2026-06-30

FDA page summarizing bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks in compounding contexts.

The Mitochondrial-Derived Peptide MOTS-c Promotes Metabolic Homeostasis and Reduces Obesity — Lee et al.

Cell Metabolism / PubMed / NCBI · Peer reviewed · 2015-03-01 · accessed 2026-07-03

Lee et al. (2015) landmark study (PMID 25754631) in Cell Metabolism identifying MOTS-c as a mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates metabolic homeostasis, improves insulin sensitivity, and prevents obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet. Preclinical only.

MOTS-c in exercise, aging, and metabolic disease — human and preclinical studies

PubMed / NCBI · Peer reviewed · 2023-01-01 · accessed 2026-07-03

Emerging research on MOTS-c in the context of exercise physiology and aging, including observational human studies showing MOTS-c levels change with exercise. No interventional human trials confirming therapeutic effects.

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