Scientific Background and Development of SS-31 Peptide

Mitochondria are key to staying healthy and living longer. They make ATP, the main fuel that powers everything your cells do. Your body needs strong mitochondria to keep energy levels up and fight off damage. These tiny cell parts often work less well as people get older. SS-31 helps by supporting the important inner parts of mitochondria that break down with age.

Research on special cell-entering peptides started the journey toward SS-31. Scientists discovered certain peptides could easily move into mitochondria in the early 2000s. This important finding led Stealth Peptides to develop the SS peptide family. These specially designed molecules target the inner membrane of mitochondria where they can do the most good.

Out of the SS peptides, SS-31 showed particular promise in early research. Compared to earlier peptide designs, SS-31 demonstrated superior mitochondrial uptake and antioxidant capabilities. Its development progressed into human trials to assess safety, tolerability and impact on mitochondrial activity. So far, results suggest SS-31 positively supports mitochondrial functioning. Stealth BioTherapeutics continues to coordinate clinical studies on applications for various health conditions.

How SS-31 Works

Let’s first look at how mitochondria are built. These tiny cell parts have two layers called membranes. A special fat called cardiolipin sits in the inner membrane. This fat helps keep the inner membrane in the right shape. Cardiolipin can easily get damaged by oxygen. When damage happens, mitochondria don’t work well and can’t make enough energy for cells.

SS-31 is made to find and stick to cardiolipin molecules. It attaches to these special fats and helps keep the inner part of mitochondria stable. The drug shields cardiolipin from oxygen damage during stressful times. Mitochondria protected by SS-31 keep their proper structure much better. This protection helps them continue making energy correctly for longer periods.

There are also downstream impacts. Healthier mitochondria produce less reactive oxygen species that can harm cells. They supply more ATP energy to power cellular repair and renewal processes. This enhanced functioning from SS-31 may slow down mitochondrial deterioration over time.

Benefits of SS-31

Boosting mitochondrial activity with SS-31 could yield exciting health benefits in two key areas:

Slowing Cellular Aging

Mitochondria work less well as we grow older. Our cells gather damage from oxidative stress and make less energy over time. This speeds up how fast our cells age. New research shows that better mitochondrial health may slow down this aging process.

Tests on older mice showed impressive results with SS-31 treatment. The mice had less cell damage and stronger mitochondria after treatment. Their cells made more ATP energy too. The benefits lasted for months even after stopping the treatment. These results suggest the peptide might help fight cellular aging and help people live longer.

Managing Chronic Diseases

Many serious health problems stem from faulty mitochondria. Heart failure, Parkinson’s disease and kidney problems all involve these tiny cell powerhouses. Fixing the damaged mitochondria offers a new way to treat these complex conditions. This approach targets the root cause rather than just managing symptoms.

Clinical trials are actively studying how SS-31 could target mitochondrial health issues tied to specific diseases. For example, a phase 2 trial on heart failure patients found 8 weeks of SS-31 increased maximal oxygen uptake by 14% and exercise capacity by 33%. These robust improvements in cardiac energetics and performance demonstrate SS-31’s potential.

Ongoing trials are also examining impacts on halting kidney disease progression. In an early study of patients with severe atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, a single dose of SS-31 prior to stent placement markedly improved kidney blood flow, filtration and perfusion. Larger trials will shed more light on efficacy.

By stabilizing mitochondria, SS-31 seems to confer measurable benefits across diverse chronic diseases. Further research should uncover optimal application methods for long-term disease management.

Use Cases and Applications

SS-31 may offer help to individuals experiencing mitochondrial dysfunction related to either primary genetic conditions or secondary impacts of aging and disease. Current and potential uses include:

Mitochondrial Myopathies

These muscle conditions pass down through families and damage tiny cell parts called mitochondria. Mutations in genes make it hard for muscles to work right. SS-31 helps fix these tiny power plants in cells. This treatment might boost muscle power and help people move better with less tiredness.

Kidney Injuries

Kidney cells need lots of mitochondria for energy production. These powerful cell parts keep kidneys working properly. Many kidney problems like chronic kidney disease show damage to these tiny energy makers. Tests of SS-31 for sudden kidney injuries show good results. The treatment seems to protect kidney function when damage occurs.

Neuroprotective Potential

Brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s often involve broken mitochondria. The tiny energy centers stop working correctly in brain cells. Animal studies show SS-31 can reduce harmful stress in brain tissues. The treatment helps stabilize the power-making parts of brain cells. Future research might prove it can slow down brain damage over time.

Dosage and Administration

In clinical trials and testing, SS-31 is administered via subcutaneous or intravenous injection. This allows the peptide to readily enter circulation and be carried to tissues and cells throughout the body.

Doses evaluated have ranged from 1 mg up to 5 mg per day. Administration frequency depends on the condition. For acute situations, a single dose or short course over a few days may be trialed. For chronic diseases, longer courses involving injections once daily or a few times a week appear beneficial.

Safety and Side Effects

Thus far, research shows SS-31 to have a good safety profile. In phase 1 and 2 human trials, SS-31 injections were well tolerated without serious side effects even with prolonged use. Mild reactions like temporary rashes at injection sites have been reported by a minority of users.

As more extensive trials are completed, safety data will continue to be updated regarding effects from longer-term SS-31 therapy. However current evidence indicates it does not negatively impact kidney or liver functioning. Researchers also saw no signs of increased infection risk or cardiovascular issues.

Expected Effects

Participants in early SS-31 trials are already noting subtle improvements in energy, strength and stamina from the extra mitochondrial support. While formal clinical results are pending, anecdotal reports are encouraging.

One phase 1 trial participant named Sarah mentioned feeling a bit more energetic in her day-to-day life after 4 weeks of SS-31 injections. A phase 2 heart failure patient called Thomas found walking became slightly easier. However he was unsure whether the difference stemmed from SS-31 or his standard medications.

Nonetheless, the scientific community remains excited by SS-31’s prospects. Larger scale clinical findings showing definitive improvements in functioning would further validate its development as therapy.

Where to Buy SS-31

You’re always welcome to buy high quality, highly purified SS-31 peptide from CellPeptides. It’s chemical composition is identical to all SS-31 pharma-grade peptides but our is only approved for research purposes only.

FAQs

1. What is SS-31?

SS-31 (also known as elamipretide) is a tiny chain of four amino acids. It works inside your cells’ power stations, called mitochondria. SS-31 sticks to special fats in these power stations. By doing this, it helps keep mitochondria working well. It also fights off harmful oxygen that can damage your cells.

2. How does SS-31 help with mitochondrial functioning?

SS-31 shields parts of mitochondria that wear out as you get older. It protects the inner walls where energy is made. This helps your cells make more ATP – the fuel your body runs on. SS-31 also lowers harmful oxygen that can hurt cells. When your cell power stations work better, your whole body benefits.

3. Are there any risks or side effects of SS-31 treatment?

Studies show SS-31 is safe for most people. Some may get slight redness where the shot goes in. No major health issues have been linked to SS-31. It doesn’t harm your kidneys or liver. Most people do fine with the treatment and have few or no side effects.

4. What conditions could SS-31 potentially treat?

SS-31 may help with many health issues tied to poor cell energy. It shows promise for kidney damage recovery. It might slow down brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease. People with heart failure may see better heart function. New uses for SS-31 are being found as research goes on.

5. How is SS-31 administered?

Doctors give SS-31 as shots under the skin or into veins. These methods get the drug into your blood fast. The drug then moves to all parts of your body. It enters your cells and finds the power stations. This direct path helps the drug reach where it needs to work.