Circulating MOTS-c Declines with Age and Correlates with Metabolic Health in Humans
Researchers characterised MOTS-c as a detectable peptide in human blood and demonstrated a significant age-dependent decline in older adults. Individuals with high metabolic fitness maintained significantly elevated plasma MOTS-c, with levels correlating positively with insulin sensitivity, VO²max, and mitochondrial biogenesis markers. An exercise intervention arm showed plasma MOTS-c rose measurably within 30 minutes — confirming mitochondria release MOTS-c as a systemic endocrine signal in response to physiological energetic demand.