MOTS-c (10 mg vial)
Once daily subcutaneous protocol for longevity and cellular health research.
MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide encoded inside the mitochondrial genome itself, studied as an exercise mimetic acting through AMPK. Human data is a single small trial plus preclinical work. The protocol below doses it around training days.
Quick answer: at the standard 10 mg + 1 mL reconstitution, a 1 mg dose of MOTS-c draws 10 units (0.1 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe, once daily subcutaneous.
Get MOTS-c → code PEPDOSE
Protocol overview
Dosing & reconstitution
Frequency: Once daily subcutaneous
Typical duration: 8-12 weeks
Reconstitution: 10 mg vial + 1 mL bacteriostatic water = 10 mg/mL. Units below are for a U-100 insulin syringe at this concentration.
| Phase | Dose | Units per injection |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-2 | 200 mcg | 2 units (0.02 mL) |
| Weeks 3-4 | 400 mcg | 4 units (0.04 mL) |
| Weeks 5-6 | 600 mcg | 6 units (0.06 mL) |
| Weeks 7-8 | 800 mcg | 8 units (0.08 mL) |
| Weeks 9-10+ | 1 mg | 10 units (0.1 mL) |
Units = (dose ÷ concentration) × 100 on a U-100 syringe. Change the vial size or water volume and the calculator redoes all of this for you.
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MOTS-c dosing — what the literature actually supports
We publish a schedule when there is a citable human source and we say so when there is not. Filling this space with a number nobody measured would make the page look more complete and be worth less than nothing to you.
Reconstitution and measurement
This part is arithmetic and does not depend on the evidence level. Concentration is vial size divided by the bacteriostatic water you add. Draw volume is your target amount divided by that concentration. Units are draw volume times 100, because a U-100 syringe reads 100 units per millilitre. Common vials for MOTS-c: 10, 40 mg.
- Wipe the stoppers of both vials with an alcohol swab and let them dry.
- Draw the bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the peptide vial — never straight onto the powder.
- Swirl gently until the solution is clear. Do not shake; foaming and agitation damage peptides.
- Label the vial with the date and concentration, and refrigerate at 2–8 °C protected from light.
Worked example at the calculator defaults: 10 mg + 2 mL of bacteriostatic water = 5 mg/mL, so on a U-100 insulin syringe 1 unit = 50 mcg of MOTS-c. Change either input and the calculator redoes this for you.
Storage and stability
Important notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Use a new sterile insulin syringe for each injection and dispose in a proper sharps container.
- Inject slowly and steadily; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle to ensure complete delivery.
- Administer at the same time each day for consistent levels. Setting a daily reminder helps maintain the schedule.
- This compound lacks controlled human safety data. Start with the lowest reported amount and increase gradually while monitoring for any adverse reactions.
- The 10 mg vial size is standard for this compound. Reconstitute with 1 mL bacteriostatic water for a convenient concentration.
How MOTS-c works
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome — one of a small group of mitochondrial-derived peptides. Rodent work reports effects on AMPK signalling, insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity.
Benefits & side effects
Potential benefits
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide
- Exercise mimetic properties in research
- Supports insulin sensitivity and metabolic health
- Synergistic with physical activity
Possible side effects
- Injection site reactions
- Limited human safety data
- Potential for metabolic changes
- Preclinical safety profile
This list reflects published literature and community reports. Individual responses vary. Not medical advice.
Bloodwork worth tracking
The community-standard practice is a baseline panel before starting, a recheck 8 to 12 weeks in, and another after time off. For MOTS-c, the markers most worth watching:
CMPCBCfasting glucoseHbA1c
Typical time off: 4-8 wks
Lab panels are how a research protocol stays honest: numbers move before symptoms do. Interpretation belongs with a clinician. Not medical advice.
Lifestyle factors
None of the literature above was run on a background of poor sleep and no protein. These variables move outcomes more reliably than any compound on this site.
- Protein in the 1.6 to 2.2 g/kg range preserves lean mass through any body-composition phase.
- Resistance training 2 to 4 days per week plus 150+ minutes of weekly aerobic work reinforces whatever the protocol is doing.
- Sleep is the recovery window: 7 to 9 hours at consistent times.
- Hydration matters more than usual on compounds with GI or flushing effects: 2 to 3 liters daily.
- Track the variables that matter: weigh-ins, measurements, photos, and labs at sensible intervals.
References
Quick answers
How many syringe units is a 1 mg dose of MOTS-c?
At the standard reconstitution of 10 mg with 1 mL bacteriostatic water (10 mg/mL), a 1 mg dose draws 10 units (0.1 mL) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
How do you reconstitute MOTS-c?
Add 1 mL of bacteriostatic water to the 10 mg vial for 10 mg/mL. Inject the water slowly down the inside wall of the vial, swirl gently without shaking, and refrigerate at 2 to 8 °C after mixing.
How long does a 10 mg vial of MOTS-c last?
About 10 maintenance doses of 1 mg, roughly 1.4 weeks at once daily subcutaneous.
Does MOTS-c have human trial data?
No. The evidence base is animal and cell studies; the practical dosing shown is community convention, and the page labels it that way.
How does MOTS-c work?
A 16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA rather than the nuclear genome — one of a small group of mitochondrial-derived peptides. Rodent work reports effects on AMPK signalling, insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity.
Sourcing MOTS-c
Whatever you are working with, the documentation matters more than the price. Ask for a batch certificate of analysis whose lot number matches the vial you actually receive — a COA for a different batch tells you nothing about yours.
MOTS-c at Summit Research Supply → Grade a COA first
Summit is the supplier we feature and an affiliate link. Our COA checklist applies the same way to any vendor.
