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 20 mg · 1 source tables
Standard / Gradual Approach (3 mL = ~6.67 mg/mL)
| Week | Daily Dose (mcg) | Units (per injection) (mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 200 mcg (0.2 mg) | 3 units (0.03 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 400 mcg (0.4 mg) | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 600 mcg (0.6 mg) | 9 units (0.09 mL) |
| Weeks 7–8 | 800 mcg (0.8 mg) | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
| Weeks 9–10+ | 1,000 mcg (1.0 mg) | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously[6]. Stay at each dose level for approximately 2 weeks before increasing, and monitor for any adverse reactions[6]. For ≤10‑unit (≤0.10 mL) administrations, consider 30‑ or 50‑unit insulin syringes for improved readability.
Additional schedule context & duration
Concise summary of the once‑daily regimen.
- Goal: Support metabolic homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and age-related physical performance based on preclinical evidence[1][2][4].
- Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks (extend to 16 weeks if desired).
- Dose Range: 200–1,000 mcg daily with gradual titration over 10 weeks.
- Reconstitution: 3.0 mL per 20 mg vial (~6.67 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); avoid repeated freeze–thaw.
Suggested daily titration approach based on animal-to-human extrapolation.
- Start: 200 mcg daily for 2 weeks.
- Titration: Increase by ~200 mcg every 2 weeks: 400 mcg (Weeks 3–4), 600 mcg (Weeks 5–6), 800 mcg (Weeks 7–8).
- Target: Up to 1,000 mcg (1.0 mg) daily by Weeks 9–10+ if well tolerated[6].
- Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous).
- Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks.
- Timing: Any consistent time; rotate injection sites.
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 with reconstitution date and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light.
- Use within 7 days for optimal potency[6].
Storage Instructions
Proper storage preserves peptide quality and potency.
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below in dry, dark conditions; include desiccant if available to minimize moisture exposure.
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); peptide degrades rapidly at room temperature (~25% activity loss after 24 hours at 4 °C)[6]. Use within 7 days for best potency.
- Aliquoting: Prepare single-use aliquots and freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F) if needed; avoid freeze–thaw cycles.
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best‑practice resources[8][10]:
- Clean the vial stopper and skin with alcohol; allow to dry completely.
- Pinch a skinfold; insert the needle at 90° (45° if very lean) into subcutaneous tissue[10].
- Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily over a few seconds[8].
- Withdraw needle at the same angle; apply gentle pressure if bleeding occurs (do not rub).
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen at least 2 inches from navel, outer thighs, back of upper arms) to avoid irritation and lipohypertrophy[10].
- Dispose of used syringes immediately in a proper sharps container (never reuse needles)[10].
Materials & quantity planning
Source materials checklist · 20 mg
Plan based on an 8–16 week daily protocol with gradual titration.
-
Peptide Vials (MOTS-C, 20 mg each):
- 8 weeks ≈ 2 vials
- 12 weeks ≈ 3 vials
- 16 weeks ≈ 5 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 (2 vials): 6 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
- 12 weeks (3 vials): 9 mL → 1 × 10 mL bottle
- 16 weeks (5 vials): 15 mL → 2 × 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 20 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 ↑
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Related topics are not interchangeable compounds or formulations.