Metabolic

MOTS-C Dosage Protocol

A mitochondrial-derived peptide and exercise mimetic studied for metabolic regulation and healthy aging. Complete dosing guide and peer-reviewed references.

Last reviewed March 2025 · 2 cited sources

Select vial size

Reconstitution

Add 2.0 mL BAC water → 2.5 mg/mL

Daily dose range

2.5–5 mg per injection (titrated)

Unit math (U-100 syringe)

1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 25 mcg

Storage (lyophilized)

Freeze at −4 °F · Reconstituted: 36–46 °F · Use within 28 days

Dosing & Reconstitution Guide

The protocol below uses a 2.0 mL reconstitution volume to keep injection units comfortably above 10 on a standard U-100 insulin syringe, reducing measurement error. Doses are titrated as shown below.

Phase	Daily dose	U-100 units	Injection volume
Standard	2.5 mg × 2/week	100 units per injection	1.00 mL

Route: Subcutaneous · Frequency: 2–3× weekly SC · Cycle: 8–12 weeks

Reconstitution steps

Draw 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water into a sterile syringe.

Inject the water slowly down the interior wall of the peptide vial -never directly onto the powder -to prevent foaming and denaturation.

Swirl or roll gently until fully dissolved. Do not shake. The lyophilized powder should dissolve completely within 30–60 seconds.

Label the vial with the reconstitution date and concentration (2.5 mg/mL). Refrigerate at 36–46 °F, protected from light. Use within 28 days.

Research use only. This protocol is derived from published preclinical and early-phase clinical literature. MOTS-C is not FDA-approved for human use. This information is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any peptide protocol.

Supplies Needed

Estimates below assume the titration schedule listed above.

MOTS-C vials (5 mg each)

Per cycleAs needed per titration

U-100 insulin syringes

8 weeks56 syringes

12 weeks84 syringes

16 weeks112 syringes

Bacteriostatic water (10 mL bottles)

Per vial2.0 mL needed

Alcohol swabs (100-count boxes)

8 weeks2 boxes (~112 swabs)

12 weeks2 boxes (~168 swabs)

16 weeks3 boxes (~224 swabs)

Storage Instructions

Lyophilized (dry powder)

−4 °F

Store frozen in dry, dark conditions. Minimize humidity exposure. Stable for 12–24 months when properly stored.

Reconstituted (in solution)

36–46 °F

Refrigerate after reconstitution. Use within 28 days. Do not refreeze reconstituted solution -freeze-thaw cycles degrade peptide integrity.

Allow refrigerated vials to reach room temperature before opening to minimize condensation uptake. Always inspect for cloudiness or particulates before use -discard if present.

Verified Source

We recommend Pacific Edge Labs for research-grade MOTS-C. Third-party lab tests are published on each product page.

Why Pacific Edge Labs

High-purity compounds with third-party lab results available on the website
Consistent quality control with ISO-aligned handling and documentation
Fast, discreet shipping with proper handling and packaging

View MOTS-C on Pacific Edge Labs →

How MOTS-C Works

MOTS-C is a 16-amino acid peptide encoded within the mitochondrial genome (12S rRNA gene), discovered in 2015 as the first mitochondria-derived peptide (MDP) shown to regulate nuclear gene expression. It activates AMPK and modulates the folate cycle and methionine metabolism, linking mitochondrial function to broad metabolic regulation.^[1]

Plasma MOTS-C levels decline significantly with age and obesity. In aged mice, MOTS-C administration restored exercise capacity, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic homeostasis, positioning it as both an exercise mimetic and a potential longevity intervention targeting the age-related decline in mitochondrial signaling.^[2]

Observed Effects & Side Effect Profile

The following observations are derived from preclinical literature and limited early-phase human data. They do not constitute clinical claims.

Reported benefits (research literature)

First mitochondrial-derived peptide shown to regulate nuclear gene expression
AMPK activation restores exercise capacity and insulin sensitivity in aged mice
Plasma levels decline with age -restoration rationale for supplementation
Links mitochondrial function to metabolic regulation through folate/methionine pathways

Known limitations & side effects

Human clinical dosing not established in controlled trials
Relatively recent discovery (2015) -long-term effects unknown
Optimal injection frequency and cycle length not validated
Not FDA-approved -research compound

Lifestyle Considerations

While the following suggestions are not protocol requirements, research on tissue repair and peptide efficacy consistently highlights these as factors that influence outcomes:

Protein intake. Collagen synthesis and tissue remodeling require adequate dietary protein. Research generally supports 1.6–2.2 g/kg/day during active recovery periods.

Sleep. The majority of tissue repair and growth hormone secretion occurs during deep sleep stages. 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night supports the biological environment in which recovery peptides operate.

Activity balance. Avoid complete immobilization (which impedes collagen remodeling) and overuse (which re-injures tissue). Progressive loading appropriate to the injury stage supports functional recovery.

Stress management. Elevated cortisol chronically impairs immune function and tissue repair. Evidence-based stress reduction techniques support the recovery environment.

Injection Technique

Standard subcutaneous injection guidance from clinical best-practice references.

Wash hands thoroughly. Clean your work surface. Gather all supplies before beginning.

Wipe the vial rubber stopper with a fresh alcohol swab. Allow it to dry completely before inserting a needle.

Draw the calculated dose volume into a sterile insulin syringe. Invert the syringe and tap to remove air bubbles; expel them before withdrawing the needle from the vial.

Select an injection site: abdomen (at least 2 inches from the navel), outer thigh, or upper outer arm. Clean with a fresh alcohol swab and allow to dry.

Pinch a fold of skin between thumb and forefinger. Insert the needle at a 45–90° angle depending on body fat thickness -45° for leaner individuals, 90° for more subcutaneous tissue.

Do not aspirate. Current clinical guidelines do not recommend aspiration for subcutaneous injections. Inject slowly and steadily over 2–3 seconds.

Wait 3–5 seconds after the plunger bottoms out before withdrawing the needle at the same angle. Apply gentle pressure with a clean swab -do not rub vigorously.

Rotate injection sites systematically with every dose. Reusing the same site repeatedly causes lipohypertrophy (hardened fat tissue) which reduces absorption consistency.

Dispose of used needles and syringes immediately in a puncture-resistant sharps container. Never recap needles by hand.

Important Notes

⚠

Research use only. MOTS-C is not FDA-approved for human use. Human clinical data may be limited. Do not use without consulting a qualified healthcare professional.

◎

One syringe per injection. Never reuse needles or syringes. Each injection requires a fresh, sterile syringe to prevent contamination and infection risk.

◎

Document your protocol. Record daily dose, injection site, and any observations. This supports consistency and allows you to identify patterns or issues over the course of the cycle.

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Inspect before each use. The reconstituted solution should be clear and colorless. Discard if cloudy, discolored, or if particulates are visible.

References

All dosing recommendations and mechanism descriptions on this page are derived from the following peer-reviewed publications and regulatory documents.

PubMed 25738459

Lee C et al. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25738459 ↗

PubMed 29983246

Kim KH et al. The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression in Response to Metabolic Stress

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29983246 ↗