Study record
The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c is a regulator of plasma metabolites and enhances insulin sensitivity
Kim SJ, Miller B, Mehta HH et al. · Physiol Rep · 2019
AnimalMOTS-c administeredEvidence tier C
What this study reported
In diet-induced obese mice, untargeted plasma metabolomics found reduced sphingolipid, monoacylglycerol and dicarboxylate metabolism pathways in MOTS-c-injected mice. The authors interpret these pathways as linked to improved insulin sensitivity and beta-oxidation.
Limitations
Males only; group sizes not reported in the abstract; metabolomic changes are associative and mechanistic claims were not directly tested.
Study record
| Study model | Animal study (in vivo) |
|---|---|
| Substance studied | MOTS-c administeredSynthetic MOTS-c was given to cells, animals or people. |
| Species | mouse |
| System studied | Male C57BL/6 mice with diet-induced obesity; plasma metabolomics |
| Population | Not reported |
| Design | Controlled animal experiment with untargeted metabolomics |
| Sample size as reported | Not reported |
| Control group | diet-induced obese mice not given MOTS-c (implied) |
| Route (data field only) | intraperitoneal |
| Endpoints measured | plasma metabolome; sphingolipid metabolism; monoacylglycerol metabolism; dicarboxylate metabolism |
| Pathways measured | Lipid metabolism · Insulin & glucose handling |
| Research areas | Metabolic |
| Evidence tier | C — Animal in vivo |
| Publication types | Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Appraisal
Each dimension is recorded separately and never combined into a single score. A study can be well controlled and still tell you little about people.
- Relevance to MOTS-c
- Direct
- Model applicability
- Mammalian
- Sample size
- Not reported
- Controls
- Limited
- Outcome validity
- Exploratory
- Support for its own conclusion
- Weak
Provenance
- Bibliographic fields retrieved from PubMed E-utilities efetch (title, journal, date, authors, DOI) on 2026-11-11.
- Annotated from the published abstract.
- Editorial review: approved (2026-11-11).
- Classification follows the site methodology; the record describes the study, not what MOTS-c does in people.