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Study · Measured the body's own peptide · 2026

6 results

Reduced Circulating MOTS-c Levels in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Reflect Integrated Autoimmune and Metabolic Dysregulation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Sonay HO, Duran EN, Algemi M, Sahtiyanci B, Utku IK, Çokiçli E, Misirlioglu NF, Simsek G, Uzun H, Tabak O

Journal of clinical medicine22 May 2026

PMID42278864 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13257931 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3390/jcm15114002 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42278864
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Summary

Background: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is a common autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and metabolic alterations. Mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs), particularly mitochondrial open-reading frame of the 12S rRNA-c (MOTS-c), have emerged as key regulators of cellular metabolism, insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, and inflammatory responses. This study aimed to investigate the association between circulating MOTS-c levels and HT and to explore its potential role in thyroid autoimmunity and metabolic regulation. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90). Results: A total of 180 participants were included, comprising 90 patients with HT and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly lower in patients with HT compared to controls (p < 0.001). MOTS-c levels demonstrated significant inverse correlations with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, and thyroid autoantibody levels (all p < 0.05). In subgroup analyses, these associations remained significant within the HT cohort, particularly for HOMA-IR and thyroid autoantibodies. Multivariable regression analysis identified HT (β = -30.04, p p < 0.001) as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels. Levothyroxine (LT4) use was not associated with significant differences in MOTS-c concentrations. Conclusions: Circulating MOTS-c levels are markedly reduced in patients with HT and are independently associated with insulin resistance and autoimmune burden. These findings suggest that impaired mitochondrial signaling may play a role in the pathophysiology of thyroid autoimmunity and highlight MOTS-c as a promising biomarker linking metabolic dysfunction and immune dysregulation.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study6

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

Natural levels measured6

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.

  1. 01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    In adults with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, circulating levels of the body's own MOTS‑c were lower than in healthy controls.

    In plain wordsPeople with Hashimoto's thyroiditis had lower levels of the body's own MOTS‑c than healthy people.

    Peptide
    MOTS-c
    Outcome
    DecreaseCirculating MOTS-c in Hashimoto's thyroiditis versus controls
    Study

    n = 180

    Comparator
    Healthy controls
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly lower in patients with HT compared to controls (p < 0.001).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).

    This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  2. 02HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    Circulating MOTS‑c levels were inversely correlated with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein and thyroid autoantibodies.

    In plain wordsLower levels of the body's own MOTS‑c were linked to higher body mass index, blood sugar, insulin resistance, inflammation and thyroid antibodies.

    Peptide
    MOTS-c
    Outcome
    Not applicableCorrelation of MOTS-c with BMI, glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TSH, CRP and thyroid autoantibodies
    Study

    n = 180

    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    MOTS-c levels demonstrated significant inverse correlations with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, and thyroid autoantibody levels (all p < 0.05).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).

    This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  3. 03HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    In multivariable regression, Hashimoto's thyroiditis was an independent determinant of reduced circulating MOTS‑c.

    In plain wordsHashimoto's thyroiditis was independently linked to lower levels of the body's own MOTS‑c.

    Peptide
    MOTS-c
    Outcome
    DecreaseHashimoto's thyroiditis as determinant of MOTS-c
    Study

    n = 180

    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones

    Measurements

    Regression coefficient (beta)
    −30.04
    HT

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Multivariable regression analysis identified HT (β = -30.04, p p < 0.001) as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).

    This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  4. 04HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    In multivariable regression, higher HOMA-IR was an independent determinant of reduced circulating MOTS‑c.

    In plain wordsHigher insulin resistance was independently linked to lower levels of the body's own MOTS‑c.

    Peptide
    MOTS-c
    Outcome
    DecreaseHOMA-IR as determinant of MOTS-c
    Study

    n = 180

    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones

    Measurements

    Regression coefficient (beta)
    −0.85
    HOMA-IR

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Multivariable regression analysis identified HT (β = -30.04, p p < 0.001) as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).

    This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  5. 05HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    Within the Hashimoto's thyroiditis group, the associations of MOTS‑c remained significant, particularly for HOMA-IR and thyroid autoantibodies.

    In plain wordsAmong people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, lower body's own MOTS‑c stayed linked to insulin resistance and thyroid antibodies.

    Peptide
    MOTS-c
    Outcome
    Not applicableCorrelation of MOTS-c with HOMA-IR and thyroid autoantibodies within the HT group
    Study

    n = 90

    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    In subgroup analyses, these associations remained significant within the HT cohort, particularly for HOMA-IR and thyroid autoantibodies.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).

    This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  6. 06HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther

    Levothyroxine use was not associated with significant differences in circulating MOTS‑c concentrations.

    In plain wordsLevothyroxine use was not linked to different levels of the body's own MOTS‑c.

    Peptide
    MOTS-c
    Outcome
    No significant changeMOTS-c concentration by levothyroxine use
    Study

    n: not reported in source

    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Endocrine and hormones

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Levothyroxine (LT4) use was not associated with significant differences in MOTS-c concentrations.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).

    This result measures the body's own MOTS-c. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

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.

  1. Version 2Current

    10 Oct 2026, 08:19 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. 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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