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Study breakdown

MOTS-c Peptide Improves Muscle Energy Production Efficiency

RPEP-152352026Gudiksen, Anders; Hansen, Camilla Collin; van der Stede, Thibaux; Daugaard, Amalie Hertz; Schmidt, Josefine H; Ringholm, Stine; Merimi, Manal; Al-Obaidi, Fatima Raad; Kristoffersen, Amanda Takamiya; Zole, Egija; Regenberg, Birgitte; Kjøbsted, Rasmus; Wojtaszewski, Jørgen; Hellsten, Ylva; Pilegaard, Henriette
evidence
The takeaway

The mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c improved intrinsic muscle mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity and efficiency, positioning it as a potential therapeutic for aging and metabolic dysfunction.

Peptide from mitochondria

MOTS-c is made by mitochondria themselves and can improve how muscles produce energy when administered as a therapy

What the researchers found

MOTS-c treatment improved intrinsic muscle mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity and energy production efficiency, with potential therapeutic applications for aging and metabolic disease.

Why it matters

Mitochondrial dysfunction underlies aging, diabetes, and many chronic diseases. A peptide that directly improves mitochondrial performance could address these conditions at their root cause.

How the study worked

Assessment of muscle mitochondrial bioenergetics after MOTS-c treatment, measuring respiratory capacity, coupling efficiency, and ATP production.

What this study cannot tell us

Preclinical evidence. Optimal dosing, route, and duration for therapeutic use not established. Long-term effects unknown.

How to read the evidence

Preclinical mechanistic study. Novel peptide biology with therapeutic implications needing clinical development.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

MOTS-c represents a new therapeutic class: mitochondria-derived peptides that can be administered to improve cellular energy production, opening possibilities for treating age-related decline.

Questions still open

  • Could MOTS-c supplementation slow age-related muscle decline?
  • What is the optimal route of MOTS-c administration for therapeutic benefit?
  • Does MOTS-c have effects on non-muscle tissues?

Common questions

What is MOTS-c?
MOTS-c is a small peptide produced by mitochondria — the energy factories in our cells. When given as a treatment, it improves how muscles produce energy, potentially fighting age-related decline.
Could MOTS-c slow aging?
Possibly. By improving mitochondrial function in muscles, MOTS-c addresses one of the fundamental processes of aging. However, this is still in early research stages and not available as a therapy.

Read the original research

MOTS-c improves intrinsic muscle mitochondrial bioenergetic health and efficiency in a PGC-1α/AMPK-dependent manner.

Free radical biology & medicine, 246, 682-696

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Gudiksen, Anders; Hansen, Camilla Collin; van der Stede, Thibaux; Daugaard, Amalie Hertz; Schmidt, Josefine H; Ringholm, Stine; Merimi, Manal; Al-Obaidi, Fatima Raad; Kristoffersen, Amanda Takamiya; Zole, Egija; Regenberg, Birgitte; Kjøbsted, Rasmus; Wojtaszewski, Jørgen; Hellsten, Ylva; Pilegaard, Henriette. (2026). MOTS-c improves intrinsic muscle mitochondrial bioenergetic health and efficiency in a PGC-1α/AMPK-dependent manner.. Free radical biology & medicine, 246, 682-696. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2026.01.002