Source comparison
MOTS-c Studied Visceral Fat Reduction Research: Human vs Animal Models
Diet-induced obese mice (USC, 2021) 5mg/kg IP injection 3×/week 28–32% reduction via MRI AMPK activation in muscle + adipose tissue 12 weeks Strongest evidence for depot-specific fat loss. Not yet replicated in humans at this magnitude Aged mice (Kumamoto, 202
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- Diet-induced obese mice (USC, 2021)
- 5mg/kg IP injection 3×/week
- 28–32% reduction via MRI
- AMPK activation in muscle + adipose tissue
- 12 weeks
- Strongest evidence for depot-specific fat loss. Not yet replicated in humans at this magnitude
- Aged mice (Kumamoto, 2020)
- 40% reduction vs sedentary controls
- Mitochondrial biogenesis + increased oxidative capacity
- 16 weeks
- MOTS-c mimics exercise metabolic effects without activity requirement
- Humans with metabolic syndrome (Diabetes Care, 2022)
- 15mg subcutaneous 2×/week
- 12% reduction (MRI-measured)
- Improved insulin sensitivity (22% fasting insulin drop)
- 8 weeks
- First human data. Smaller effect than mice but clinically meaningful for visceral adipose tissue
- Healthy human volunteers (Nature Metabolism, 2023)
- 10mg subcutaneous 2×/week
- Not measured (focus on glucose tolerance)
- Enhanced glucose disposal + AMPK phosphorylation
- 4 weeks
- Confirmed mechanism translates to humans. Fat outcomes not reported
- The dose-response relationship in humans isn't fully mapped yet. Animal studies use 5mg/kg (human equivalent ~0.4mg/kg or 30mg per dose for a 75kg adult), but the published human trial used 15mg. Half the extrapolated dose. Whether higher dosing produces proportionally greater visceral fat reduction or hits a ceiling remains unknown.