Systemic MOTS-c levels are increased in adults with obesity in association with metabolic dysregulation and remain unchanged after weight loss.

Yoon SH, Yuan F, Zhu X, Tang H, Abdurakhimoova D, Krier J, Eirin A, Lerman A, Cohen P, Lerman LO

Journal of clinical & translational endocrinology30 Dec 2025

PMID41551324PMCIDPMC12807633DOI10.1016/j.jcte.2025.100429PepBankPUB-41551324

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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. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured5

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In adults with obesity, circulating levels of the body's own MOTS‑c were higher than in lean adults.
In plain wordsAdults with obesity had higher levels of the body's own MOTS‑c in the blood than lean adults.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
IncreaseCirculating MOTS-c in obese versus lean adults
Study
n = 54
Comparator
Lean controls
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Measurements
Circulating MOTS-c
273 pg/mL
obese
Circulating MOTS-c
223 pg/mL
lean
Source sentences
Summary
Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly higher in obese compared to lean individuals (273 ± 56 vs. 223 ± 50 pg/mL; P < 0.01).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Circulating MOTS-c levels, metabolic parameters, and inflammatory markers were compared between 22 lean controls and 32 obese participants scheduled for bariatric surgery.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-4155132401
02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
BMI and HOMA-IR independently predicted higher circulating MOTS‑c levels.
In plain wordsHigher body mass index and insulin resistance were linked to higher levels of the body's own MOTS‑c.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
IncreaseBMI and HOMA-IR as predictors of MOTS-c
Study
n = 54
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
BMI and HOMA-IR independently predicted elevated MOTS-c levels (P = 0.035 and P = 0.032, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Circulating MOTS-c levels, metabolic parameters, and inflammatory markers were compared between 22 lean controls and 32 obese participants scheduled for bariatric surgery.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-4155132402
03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
MOTS‑c showed a biphasic relationship with HOMA-IR and rose sharply at high HOMA-IR values.
In plain wordsThe body's own MOTS‑c rose sharply in people with high insulin resistance.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
IncreaseRelationship of MOTS-c with HOMA-IR
Study
n = 54
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
MOTS-c showed a biphasic relationship with HOMA-IR, rising sharply above HOMA-IR of ∼ 6.6 mmol/L×µU/mL.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Circulating MOTS-c levels, metabolic parameters, and inflammatory markers were compared between 22 lean controls and 32 obese participants scheduled for bariatric surgery.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-4155132403
04HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
Adipose tissue MOTS‑c did not differ between obese and lean groups and did not correlate with circulating MOTS‑c.
In plain wordsMOTS‑c in fat tissue did not differ between obese and lean people and did not match blood levels.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
No significant changeAdipose tissue MOTS-c in obese versus lean
Study
n = 20
Comparator
Lean kidney donors
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Adipose tissue MOTS-c did not differ between the groups or correlate with circulating MOTS-c.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Additionally, adipose tissue MOTS-c expression was assessed by immunofluorescence in lean kidney donors (n = 6) and obese (n = 14) subjects.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-4155132404
05HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
Circulating MOTS‑c levels remained unchanged 6 months after bariatric surgery despite significant BMI improvement.
In plain wordsThe body's own MOTS‑c in the blood did not change 6 months after weight-loss surgery, although body mass index fell.
Peptide
MOTS-c
Outcome
No significant changeCirculating MOTS-c after bariatric surgery
Study
n = 10
Comparator
Before surgery
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
Despite significant BMI improvements post-surgery (P P = 0.913).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Longitudinal changes in weight, MOTS-c levels, and metabolic markers were also analyzed in 10 of the obese patients before and 6 months after bariatric surgery.
This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-4155132405

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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
10 Oct 2026, 08:19 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:47 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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