▶ MOTS-C · SUBTOPIC · SAFETY PROFILE

MOTS-c Safety Profile

For Laboratory Research Use Only. This page summarises observed adverse events and regulatory status reported in the peer- reviewed literature. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any human use of MOTS-c.

OBSERVED ADVERSE EVENTS IN LITERATURE

The following adverse events have been observed in trials or animal studies of MOTS-c. Severity, frequency, and attribution depend on the source publication.

• Limited human safety data
• Animal toxicology shows wide therapeutic window

DRUG INTERACTIONS

The following interactions are reported in or theorised from the published mechanism for MOTS-c.

• Anti-diabetic medications (theoretical, due to insulin-sensitivity effect)

CONTRAINDICATIONS REPORTED IN LITERATURE

Contraindications recorded for MOTS-c in the published record:

• Active malignancy (theoretical)
• Pregnancy/lactation (unstudied)

FDA REGULATORY STATUS

Not FDA-approved for any human use. Research-use only.

WADA REGULATORY STATUS

Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List (2026).

SAFETY Q+A FROM LITERATURE

CITED LITERATURE

The safety statements above are drawn from the following peer-reviewed sources. Refer to the originals for adverse- event tables, attribution, and full context.

• Lee C, Zeng J, Drew BG, et al.. The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Cell Metab 2015. PMID 25738459. link
• Reynolds JC, Lai RW, Woodhead JST, et al.. MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Nat Commun 2021. PMID 33473109. link
• Kim KH, Son JM, Benayoun BA, Lee C. The Mitochondrial-Encoded Peptide MOTS-c Translocates to the Nucleus to Regulate Nuclear Gene Expression. Cell Metab 2018. PMID 29983246. link

RELATED PAGES

▶ LAST UPDATED · 2026-05-19