SS-31 (Elamipretide)

The Mitochondrial Rescue Peptide for Energy, Aging, and Cellular Repair

What is SS-31?

SS-31, also known as Elamipretide, is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide (D-Arg-dimethylTyr-Lys-Phe-NH₂) designed to restore and protect mitochondrial function at the cellular level. Developed by Stealth BioTherapeutics, SS-31 selectively localizes to the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it binds to cardiolipin—a critical phospholipid that maintains mitochondrial structure and energy production.

Through its unique mechanism of action, SS-31 improves ATP production, reduces oxidative stress, and reverses mitochondrial dysfunction, making it a groundbreaking therapeutic candidate in the fields of aging, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, vision loss, and metabolic disorders.

Key Insight: SS-31 goes beyond symptom management—it addresses the root cause of cellular decline by revitalizing mitochondria, the powerhouses of your cells.

Mechanism of Action

SS-31 is uniquely designed to penetrate cells and selectively target mitochondria. Its core mechanisms include:

  • Binding to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane
  • Stabilizing mitochondrial cristae, supporting structural integrity
  • Reducing mitochondrial ROS (reactive oxygen species) production
  • Improving ATP synthesis efficiency
  • Inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death)

This multi-faceted action allows SS-31 to protect and restore mitochondrial bioenergetics, especially in high-energy-demand tissues like the heart, brain, kidneys, muscles, and eyes.

Reference: Szeto HH. “First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics.” Br J Pharmacol. 2014;171(8):2029–2050.

Key Benefits of SS-31

⚡ Mitochondrial Energy Optimization

  • Increases ATP production in aging and stressed cells
  • Enhances cellular respiration efficiency
  • Restores energy to tissues with high metabolic demand

🛡️ Cellular Protection and Longevity

  • Reduces mitochondrial oxidative damage
  • Prevents apoptosis and necrosis in vulnerable tissues
  • Supports cell survival and repair under stress

❤️ Cardioprotection

  • Shown to improve heart function in heart failure and ischemia models
  • Enhances mitochondrial function in cardiac myocytes
  • May reduce damage from reperfusion injury post-heart attack

🧠 Neuroprotection and Brain Health

  • Protects neurons from oxidative stress and energy failure
  • Potential benefit in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and stroke recovery
  • Improves cognitive clarity and mental stamina in mitochondrial-compromised individuals

👁️ Vision Preservation

  • Investigated in dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration)
  • Improves photoreceptor mitochondrial efficiency
  • May slow or reverse vision loss progression

🧬 Anti-Aging and Systemic Benefits

  • Reverses age-related mitochondrial decline
  • Improves endurance, exercise tolerance, and recovery
  • May extend healthspan by preserving mitochondrial integrity

Clinical Research and Trials

SS-31 has been extensively studied in preclinical and human trials for:

  • Heart failure and ischemic heart disease
  • Mitochondrial myopathy (Barth syndrome)
  • Age-related macular degeneration (ReCLAIM trial)
  • Acute kidney injury and diabetic nephropathy
  • Neurodegenerative disorders and metabolic dysfunction

Reference: Campbell MD, et al. “Elamipretide improves mitochondrial function in aged human skeletal muscle.” J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2019;74(11):1825–1833.

Dosing and Administration (Research Use)

SS-31 is typically administered via subcutaneous (SC) injection, intravenous (IV) in clinical trials, or topical application for ocular use.

🔹 Typical SC Protocol:

  • Dose: 2.5–10 mg SC per day
  • Frequency: Daily or 5 days/week
  • Cycle Duration: 4–12 weeks depending on target application
  • Timing: Morning use preferred for mitochondrial priming

Can be stacked with:

  • MOTS-c or NAD+ for mitochondrial synergy
  • GHK-Cu for systemic repair
  • ARA-290 for inflammation modulation and tissue protection

Safety and Side Effects

SS-31 has been shown to be extremely well tolerated, even in long-term human trials.

Reported (rare/mild) side effects:

  • Slight injection site irritation
  • Mild flushing or warmth
  • Temporary fatigue in some users (typically fades with use)

No evidence of toxicity, mutagenicity, or carcinogenicity has been reported.

Who Can Benefit from SS-31?

  • Individuals with fatigue, burnout, or mitochondrial dysfunction
  • Those recovering from cardiac, neural, or muscular injury
  • Longevity-focused individuals pursuing cellular rejuvenation
  • Athletes seeking better recovery and endurance
  • Patients with neurodegenerative or ocular conditions

Conclusion

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a revolutionary peptide that targets the root cause of aging and energy decline: mitochondrial dysfunction. With a unique mechanism that repairs and protects the most critical structures inside your cells, SS-31 offers a bold new approach to reversing fatigue, preventing disease, and optimizing lifespan from the inside out.

Whether you’re recovering from chronic stress, optimizing performance, or future-proofing your body against aging, SS-31 is the mitochondrial master switch your cells have been waiting for.