Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~3.33 mg/mL concentration.
Typical daily range: 200–1,000 mcg once daily (gradual titration over 10 weeks).
Easy measuring: At 3.33 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL ≈ 33.3 mcg on a U‑100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized: freeze at −20 °C (−4 °F) or below; after reconstitution, refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F) and use within 7 days for best potency.
Dosing & Reconstitution Guide
Educational guide for reconstitution and daily dosing
Standard / Gradual Approach (3 mL = ~3.33 mg/mL)
Frequency: Inject once daily subcutaneously. This schedule uses the largest practical dilution (3.0 mL) to maintain per‑injection accuracy. Stay at each dose level for approximately 2 weeks before increasing, and monitor for any adverse reactions.
For ≤10‑unit (≤0.10 mL) administrations, consider 30‑ or 50‑unit insulin syringes for improved readability.
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.
Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. MOTS-c is an experimental compound for research use only. Not for human consumption.
Supplies Needed
Plan based on an 8–12 week daily protocol with gradual titration.
8 weeks ≈ 3 vials
12 weeks ≈ 6 vials
16 weeks ≈ 9 vials
Per week: 7 syringes (1/day)
8 weeks: 56 syringes
12 weeks: 84 syringes
16 weeks: 112 syringes
Bacteriostatic Water: Use ~3.0 mL per vial for reconstitution.
8 weeks (3 vials): 9 mL
12 weeks (6 vials): 18 mL
16 weeks (9 vials): 27 mL
Alcohol Swabs: One for the vial stopper + one for the injection site each day.
Per week: 14 swabs (2/day)
8 weeks: 112 swabs
12 weeks: 168 swabs
16 weeks: 224 swabs
Protocol Overview
Concise summary of the once‑daily regimen.
Goal: Support metabolic homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and age-related physical performance based on preclinical evidence.
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 10 mg vial (~3.33 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.
Dosing Protocol
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.
Frequency: Once per day (subcutaneous).
Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks.
Timing: Any consistent time; rotate injection sites.
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). 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.
Important Notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
Use new sterile insulin syringes for each injection; dispose in a sharps container.
Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) to reduce local irritation and prevent lipohypertrophy.
Inject slowly; wait a few seconds before withdrawing the needle.
Document daily dose, injection site, and any observations to maintain consistency.
Discontinue use and consult a medical professional if any concerning symptoms arise.
How This Works
MOTS-c functions as a metabolic “stress signal” that helps optimize energy usage during nutrient stress or exercise. Its primary mechanism is AMPK activation through inhibition of the folate cycle, causing accumulation of AICAR (an AMP analog). Activated AMPK shifts cells into an energy-efficient mode – enhancing glucose uptake, fatty-acid oxidation, and mitochondrial respiration while downregulating fat storage and gluconeogenesis.
MOTS-c can also translocate to the cell nucleus under stress conditions and upregulate antioxidant and stress-response genes. This retrograde signaling from mitochondria to nucleus increases expression of cytoprotective enzymes, helping cells cope with oxidative stress. Research indicates MOTS-c may also modulate mTOR and inflammatory pathways, contributing to lifespan and healthspan effects. Its actions resemble those of exercise and metformin at a cellular level, making it of great interest for metabolic disorders, obesity, and aging research.
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Observations from preclinical literature (no human clinical trials completed to date):
Metabolic Health: Improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism in mouse models; prevents diet-induced insulin resistance.
Weight & Fat Reduction: Prevents obesity and reduces visceral fat in obese mice through increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation.
Post-Menopausal Metabolism: Mitigates metabolic decline in ovariectomized mice; prevents menopause-related fat gain and insulin resistance.
Physical Performance: Enhances exercise capacity and counters age-related frailty; old mice ran 2× longer on treadmill tests.
Organ Protection: Reduces liver fat accumulation, improves cardiac function, and may support cognitive function in preliminary studies.
Bone & Immunity: Promotes osteoblast activity, inhibits osteoclast formation; modulates immune aging and protects pancreatic islet cells in autoimmune diabetes models.
Safety: No adverse effects reported in preclinical studies; human tolerability unknown. A modified analog (CB4211) showed good tolerability in a Phase 1 trial.
Note: These benefits have been demonstrated only in controlled research settings (mice or cells). Translation to humans requires clinical studies.
Lifestyle Factors
Complementary strategies for best outcomes based on MOTS-c’s metabolic mechanisms.
Pair with a balanced, protein-forward diet tailored to energy needs.
Combine resistance training and aerobic activity to reinforce metabolic adaptations and AMPK signaling.
Prioritize sleep (7–9 hours) and stress management to support mitochondrial health and recovery.
Consider intermittent fasting or caloric restriction, which may synergize with MOTS-c’s AMPK-mediated effects.
Injection Technique
General subcutaneous guidance from clinical best‑practice resources:
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.
Do not aspirate for subcutaneous injections; inject slowly and steadily over a few seconds.
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.
Dispose of used syringes immediately in a proper sharps container (never reuse needles).