At a glance
A mitochondrial-derived peptide investigated in metabolic stress responses.
This profile separates the compound’s scientific background from specification-specific preparation and source schedules. Begin with the research findings and limitations, then select the formulation you want to examine.
How it works
Potential benefits & side effects
Interpret each outcome in the context of the study population, formulation and evidence type. Research findings do not establish a personal treatment outcome.
Potential benefits & research findings
Animal metabolic findings and human observational measurements answer different questions. Endogenous peptide levels do not establish the effects of administering a synthetic preparation.[7][1][6]
Read the original publications to see the measured endpoints, comparator, duration and uncertainty. Mechanistic plausibility and a favorable experimental result are different from demonstrated clinical benefit.
Side effects & evidence limitations
Interpret the reported adverse effects together with the study population, route and observation period. Small or short studies can miss uncommon and delayed harms. Evidence from a related compound does not establish the safety of MOTS-C.
Source-reported adverse effects and cautions
Sources are available for independent reading. Individual claims and research schedules have not yet undergone an independent clinical review by Pep Science.
- Editorial responsibility
- Pep Science editorial desk
- Last independent review
- Not yet recorded
SPECIFICATIONS & SOURCE SCHEDULES
Explore a vial size
Select the exact formulation. Vial content, target dose and prepared concentration are different measurements.
Showing 5 mg · 1 source tables
Standard / Gradual Approach (3 mL = ~1.67 mg/mL)
| Week | Daily Dose (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | 30 units (0.30 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 1000 mcg (1.0 mg) | 60 units (0.60 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 1500 mcg (1.5 mg) | 90 units (0.90 mL) |
| Weeks 7–8 | 2000 mcg (2.0 mg) | 120 units (two 60‑unit injections)* |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously (morning administration preferred). *For 2.0 mg doses (120 units total), split into two separate 60‑unit injections at different sites, or use a more concentrated 2.0 mL reconstitution (2.5 mg/mL → 80 units for 2 mg). Alternate protocol: Some users employ 2–3 injections per week at higher per‑dose amounts (e.g., 3–5 mg twice weekly); consult literature for guidance[6].
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the once‑daily regimen based on preclinical evidence.
- Goal: Support metabolic homeostasis, enhance insulin sensitivity, and promote healthy aging through AMPK activation[2][13].
- Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 4–8 weeks, followed by an equal‑length break (cycling approach).
- Dose Range: 500–2000 mcg daily with gradual titration over weeks.
- Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 5 mg vial (~1.67 mg/mL) for accurate unit measurements.
- Storage: Lyophilized frozen at −20 °C (−4 °F); reconstituted refrigerated at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 2–4 weeks[18][19].
Suggested daily titration approach aligned with preclinical models[2][13].
- Start: 500 mcg (0.5 mg) daily for weeks 1–2; conservative baseline dose.
- Titrate: Increase to 1000 mcg (1.0 mg) daily for weeks 3–4, then 1500 mcg (1.5 mg) for weeks 5–6.
- Target: 1500–2000 mcg (1.5–2.0 mg) daily by weeks 7–8 if well‑tolerated.
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous); morning administration preferred to mimic exercise‑induced release patterns.
- Cycle Length: 4–8 weeks on, followed by 4–8 weeks off; avoid continuous long‑term use without breaks.
- Timing: Consistent daily timing; rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms).
Preparation
Reconstitution Steps
- Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe.
- Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake vigorously).
- Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light; use within 2–4 weeks[19].
Storage Instructions
Proper storage preserves peptide quality and potency[18][19].
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions with desiccant; stable for months to years when frozen.
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); use within 2–4 weeks for optimal potency (studies show >99% purity for first 1–2 weeks, ~98% by 30 days)[19].
- Handling: Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles[20][21].
- Protect from light and moisture; use aseptic technique when withdrawing doses.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best‑practice resources[8][16][17].
- Clean the vial stopper and injection site with alcohol swab; allow to air‑dry.
- Pinch a skinfold (1–2 inches) at the chosen site; insert the needle at 45–90° into subcutaneous tissue[8][16].
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections[8]; inject slowly and steadily over 2–5 seconds.
- Withdraw needle at same angle; apply gentle pressure with clean cotton ball or alcohol pad (do not rub)[17].
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen at least 2 inches from navel, outer thighs, upper arms) to avoid lipohypertrophy or scar tissue[17].
- Allow refrigerated solution to reach room temperature for 5–10 minutes before injection to reduce sting.
- Dispose of used syringe immediately into puncture‑proof sharps container; do not recap needle[17].
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 5 mg
Plan based on an 8–16 week daily protocol with gradual titration.
-
Peptide Vials (MOTS-C, 5 mg each):
- 8 weeks ≈ 12 vials (average ~1.1 mg/day)
- 12 weeks ≈ 18 vials
- 16 weeks ≈ 24 vials
-
Insulin Syringes (U‑100):
- Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
- 8 weeks: 56 syringes
- 12 weeks: 84 syringes
- 16 weeks: 112 syringes
-
Bacteriostatic Water (10 mL bottles): Use ~3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
- 8 weeks (12 vials): 36 mL → 4 × 10 mL bottles
- 12 weeks (18 vials): 54 mL → 6 × 10 mL bottles
- 16 weeks (24 vials): 72 mL → 8 × 10 mL bottles
-
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
- Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
- 8 weeks: 112 swabs → recommend 2 × 100‑count boxes
- 12 weeks: 168 swabs → recommend 2 × 100‑count boxes
- 16 weeks: 224 swabs → recommend 3 × 100‑count boxes
Calculate a phased quantity
Enter each finite phase from the schedule you are studying. Open-ended phases need an explicit duration. Calculation uses 5 mg per vial and 3 mL per vial.
Complete each phase to calculate totals.
Quantity estimates exclude preparation losses and expiry. Follow the formulation’s handling and disposal requirements.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
References & further reading
Original publications and source documents cited across this product’s variants. A listed source is not an independent endorsement of a dosing schedule.
- 02
Source document
Journal of Translational Medicine (2023) — Mitochondria-derived peptide MOTS-c: effects and mechanisms related to stress, metabolism and aging (Wan W, Zhang L, Lin Y, et al.) (opens in a new tab)translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com
Back to overview ↑ - 10
- 12
Research publication
Subcutaneous Drug Injection Review (PMC) — Literature review of factors influencing subcutaneous injection pharmacology (opens in a new tab)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 16
Public health resource
CDC — Subcutaneous Injection Technique (PDF diagram and site guidance) (opens in a new tab)www.cdc.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 17
Public health resource
NCBI Bookshelf — Best Practices for Injections: asepsis, preparation, administration, and site rotation (opens in a new tab)www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Back to overview ↑ - 22
Source document
Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry (2019) — Knoop A, et al. Development of an MS‑based detection method for the mitochondrion‑derived peptide MOTS‑c in plasma for doping control (DOI: 10.1002/rcm.8337) (opens in a new tab)analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
Back to overview ↑
Continue exploring
Related topics are not interchangeable compounds or formulations.