MOTS-c · research summary

Reduced Circulating MOTS-c Levels in Hashimoto's Thyroiditis Reflect Integrated Autoimmune and Metabolic Dysregulation: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Journal of clinical medicine · 2026. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Cross-sectional case-control study
“In this cross-sectional study, patients diagnosed with HT (n: 90) were compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n: 90).”

Subjects

Patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and age- and sex-matched healthy controls
“A total of 180 participants were included, comprising 90 patients with HT and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.”

Sample size

180 participants (90 patients, 90 controls)
“A total of 180 participants were included, comprising 90 patients with HT and 90 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.”

Reported findings

Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly lower in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to controls.
“Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly lower in patients with HT compared to controls (p < 0.001).”
MOTS-c levels showed significant inverse correlations with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TSH, CRP, and thyroid autoantibody levels.
“MOTS-c levels demonstrated significant inverse correlations with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, and thyroid autoantibody levels (all p < 0.05).”
Multivariable regression identified Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and HOMA-IR as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels.
“Multivariable regression analysis identified HT (β = −30.04, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (β = −0.85, p < 0.001) as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels.”

Limitations stated by the authors

The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, and the single-center nature may limit generalizability.
“First, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference; therefore, it cannot be determined whether reduced MOTS-c levels are a cause or a consequence of HT. Second, the single-center nature of the study may limit the generalizability of the findings.”

Source: PubMed 42278864 · DOI 10.3390/jcm15114002 · all study summaries

Reported findings

Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly lower in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis compared to controls.

“Circulating MOTS-c levels were significantly lower in patients with HT compared to controls (p < 0.001).”

MOTS-c levels showed significant inverse correlations with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TSH, CRP, and thyroid autoantibody levels.

“MOTS-c levels demonstrated significant inverse correlations with body mass index, fasting glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, thyroid-stimulating hormone, C-reactive protein, and thyroid autoantibody levels (all p < 0.05).”

Multivariable regression identified Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and HOMA-IR as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels.

“Multivariable regression analysis identified HT (β = −30.04, p < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (β = −0.85, p < 0.001) as independent determinants of reduced circulating MOTS-c levels.”

Limitations stated by the authors

The cross-sectional design precludes causal inference, and the single-center nature may limit generalizability.

“First, the cross-sectional design precludes causal inference; therefore, it cannot be determined whether reduced MOTS-c levels are a cause or a consequence of HT. Second, the single-center nature of the study may limit the generalizability of the findings.”