MOTS-c mimics exercise to combat diabetic liver fibrosis by targeting Keap1-Nrf2-Smad2/3.

Chen F, Li Z, Wang T, Fu Y, Lyu L, Xing C, Li S, Li

Scientific reports27 May 2025Cited by 5 (Europe PMC)

PMID40425777PMCIDPMC12116857DOI10.1038/s41598-025-03526-2PepBankPUB-40425777

Read at source PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: CC BY-NC-ND. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In cells, MOTS‑c overexpression or MOTS‑c in the culture medium inhibited ROS levels.
In plain wordsIn cells, extra MOTS‑c lowered levels of reactive oxygen molecules.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
DecreaseROS levels in cells
Study
n: not reported in source
Cells transfected with MOTS-c plasmids or given MOTS-c in the medium
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
MOTS-c overexpression or MOTS-c addition to the culture medium inhibited ROS levels, increased the mRNA and protein expression of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes and decreased the expression of TGF-β1(Transforming growth factor-beta1)/Smad pathway genes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Additionally, cells were transfected with MOTS-c overexpression or interference plasmids or MOTS-c was added to the culture medium.
Report a problemFND-4042577702
02LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In cells, MOTS‑c overexpression or MOTS‑c in the culture medium increased mRNA expression of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes.
In plain wordsIn cells, extra MOTS‑c raised the activity of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
IncreaseKeap1-Nrf2 pathway gene mRNA expression
Study
n: not reported in source
Cells transfected with MOTS-c plasmids or given MOTS-c in the medium
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
MOTS-c overexpression or MOTS-c addition to the culture medium inhibited ROS levels, increased the mRNA and protein expression of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes and decreased the expression of TGF-β1(Transforming growth factor-beta1)/Smad pathway genes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Additionally, cells were transfected with MOTS-c overexpression or interference plasmids or MOTS-c was added to the culture medium.
Report a problemFND-4042577703
03LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In cells, MOTS‑c overexpression or MOTS‑c in the culture medium increased protein expression of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes.
In plain wordsIn cells, extra MOTS‑c raised the amount of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway proteins.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
IncreaseKeap1-Nrf2 pathway protein expression
Study
n: not reported in source
Cells transfected with MOTS-c plasmids or given MOTS-c in the medium
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
MOTS-c overexpression or MOTS-c addition to the culture medium inhibited ROS levels, increased the mRNA and protein expression of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes and decreased the expression of TGF-β1(Transforming growth factor-beta1)/Smad pathway genes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Additionally, cells were transfected with MOTS-c overexpression or interference plasmids or MOTS-c was added to the culture medium.
Report a problemFND-4042577704
04LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In cells, MOTS‑c overexpression or MOTS‑c in the culture medium decreased expression of TGF-β1/Smad pathway genes.
In plain wordsIn cells, extra MOTS‑c lowered the activity of TGF-β1/Smad pathway genes.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
DecreaseTGF-β1/Smad pathway gene expression
Study
n: not reported in source
Cells transfected with MOTS-c plasmids or given MOTS-c in the medium
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
MOTS-c overexpression or MOTS-c addition to the culture medium inhibited ROS levels, increased the mRNA and protein expression of Keap1-Nrf2 pathway genes and decreased the expression of TGF-β1(Transforming growth factor-beta1)/Smad pathway genes.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Additionally, cells were transfected with MOTS-c overexpression or interference plasmids or MOTS-c was added to the culture medium.
Report a problemFND-4042577705

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, MOTS-c was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking MOTS-c.

05AnimalNot a test of MOTS-c aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with type 2 diabetes and liver fibrosis, treatment with MOTS‑c and aerobic exercise therapy improved liver fibrosis; the abstract does not separate the effect of MOTS‑c alone.
In plain wordsIn rats with type 2 diabetes, MOTS‑c and exercise treatment improved liver scarring. The abstract does not give MOTS‑c alone.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
DecreaseLiver fibrosis in type 2 diabetes
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Type 2 diabetes with liver fibrosis
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
MOTS-c and aerobic exercise therapy improved T2DM-induced liver fibrosis.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In this study, liver function was impaired in a T2DM rat model, leading to the aggravation of liver fibrosis.
Summary · context
T2DM rats with liver fibrosis were subjected to MOTS-c, aerobic exercise therapy, or their combination.
In this study, MOTS-c was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking MOTS-c.
Report a problemFND-4042577701

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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