Mots C: Research Applications

Research Applications

MOTS-c research spans metabolic disease, aging, exercise physiology, immunology, and bone health across 10+ indication categories:

1. Metabolic Disorders (Obesity/Diabetes) — Prevents HFD-induced obesity (body weight comparable to lean controls); reverses age/diet-induced insulin resistance; effective in T1D, T2D, and gestational diabetes models.[1][8]
2. Exercise Physiology — 22-month-old mice ran 2-fold longer (p=0.000002); skeletal muscle MOTS-c increased 11.9-fold during exercise in humans (n=10).[2]
3. Aging & Longevity — Endogenous levels decline with age; K14Q polymorphism associated with Japanese centenarian longevity; late-life treatment → median lifespan +6.4%.[2][7]
4. Cardiovascular Health — 55% reduction in vascular calcium content; 8% decrease in LV wall thickness in diabetic cardiomyopathy; prevention of heart failure.[12][13]
5. Bone Metabolism — Promotes osteoblast differentiation; inhibits osteoclastogenesis via RANKL suppression; significant BMD improvements in OVX osteoporosis model.[11]
6. Immunomodulation — MRSA sepsis survival 20% → 79% (pre-treatment); 50% → 100% (post-treatment); T-cell regulation (Treg vs Th1).[10]
7. Pain Management — Inflammatory and bone cancer pain via AMPK → MAPK-c-fos inhibition in spinal cord.[14]
8. Neuroprotection — Memory restoration via cell-penetrating analogs in Alzheimer's model; native MOTS-c does NOT cross BBB.[6]
9. Cold Adaptation — BAT thermogenesis via ERK → UCP1; maintained higher body temperature during acute cold exposure.[9]
10. Post-Menopausal Support — OVX mice: prevented weight gain, insulin resistance, and BAT whitening.[8]
11. Cancer — Ovarian cancer suppression via LARS1 ubiquitination; conflicting data on breast/prostate risk.[6]