SS-31 (Elamipretide) 10mg

Why Choose CellPeptides’ SS-31?

The mitochondria power the cell. We? We power your mitochondrial research. SS-31 is a complex compound, and even minor impurities can prevent proper binding to cardiolipin. CellPeptides is the EU-based research and scientific company researchers can count on when they need pharmaceutical-grade peptides for studies that might just change everything.

Our SS-31 is synthesized to match the exact D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe sequence Dr Szeto pioneered. It’s:

• Made to ≥99% purity standards — lab-grade and research-ready.
• Third-party lab tested, with certificates of analysis you can read for yourself to check purity and composition.
• Shipped in secure, discreet conditions — quickly, globally, with insurance, and with tracking.

Need research support? CellPeptides has an always-on customer service team that can answer more than questions about ordering (although we definitely do that, too). We’ll give you guidance based on your study design.

An extra plus? Peptide quality is not negotiable, so payment methods are less important in the grand scheme, but we do take crypto as well as accepting major credit cards and bank transfers.

How Does SS-31 Work?

Pretty elegantly.

The mitochondria make roughly 90 percent of all the energy the body needs to keep going, namely in the form of ATP. That generation takes place along the inner mitochondrial membrane, within cristae. It’s also where you find cardiolipin, which does maintenance for cristae and organizes the proteins necessary for the electron transport chain — needed to make ATP.

The whole process works very nicely and effectively. Until, that is, age or disease disrupt it. Reactive oxygen species oxidize cardiolipin. The proteins the electron transport chain needs get left behind. The entire chain starts “leaking” and becomes chaotic and less effective. ATP goes down. More reactive oxygen species show up. The mitochondrial degradation process continues.

SS-31 can go into any cell, but it’s naturally attracted to the inner mitochondrial membranes — because of its positive charge. Once it arrives on location, SS-31 binds to cardiolipin, stops it from being oxidized, restores cristae, reduces electron transport chain degradation, and gets ATP production up for better energy usage.

Forget symptom management. SS-31 goes straight for the root cause. That’s impressive — and it comes with fascinating research potential.

SS-31 in Research: Documented Effects and Potential Future Uses

SS-31, AKA Elamipretide, its investigational drug name, is undoubtedly among the most exciting peptides currently being researched. Dr Hazel Szeto discovered it in the early 2000s while researching peptides that target opioid receptors — with fascinating but entirely unexpected effects.

Because SS-31 selectively zooms in on the inner mitochondrial membrane, where it protects cardiolipin, the research potential is massive. Early trials have looked at rare mitochondrial diseases like Barth syndrome. (They were always going to be first.) The potential goes beyond that, however. Far beyond that. Researchers are now using SS-31 to investigate nearly every area of age-related decline.

SS-31 and Research Into Putting the Brake on Cellular Aging

Geroscience studies are in their early stages, where progress has been made in animal models, but that doesn’t make it any less exciting. The study of cellular aging (and the potential to slow it down, or even turn back the clock) is unquestionably the area that has the most widespread future application potential.

SS-31 was shown to reverse the signs of aging in mice and rats — better physical and muscle performance, sharper cognition, and better body weight maintenance, along with healthier cardiac and renal tissues. Researchers have demonstrated “pro-longevity shifts” in gene expression and anti-inflammatory potential. [1, 2] Impressive? It’s hard to say otherwise.

Hope for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Early Trials

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a huge part in the complex conditions that lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Research into this area remains in the preclinical phase, but has already been promising — SS-31 can cross the blood-brain barrier. It slashes oxidative stress, it improves synaptic firing, and it protects neurons. So far, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS have been the main areas of research. [3, 4]

SS-31 as a Potential Treatment for Mitochondrial Diseases

This is where the most likely near-term clinical uses for Elamipretide are found, and where human trials have already begun. SS-31 improves both cardiac output and exercise tolerance in people who have Barth syndrome. This rare mitochondrial disorder impacts cardiolipin, and there were no viable treatment directions before research into SS-31 as a potential future option started. [5, 6]

SS-31 for Heart Failure, Cardiovascular Disease, and Kidney Disease

The heart demands a lot of energy — which can strain the mitochondria. It’s no surprise that research has investigated how SS-31 might be able to help with heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. So far, it’s shown that SS-31 has a strong cardioprotective effect. It’s especially helpful in cases of ischemia-reperfusion injury, damage associated with blood flow restoration after a heart attack. [7] Restoring mitochondrial function = slowing cell death and improving recovery rates.

SS-31 has been similarly promising in the area of kidney disease (both acute and chronic). The mechanism at play here is reducing oxidative stress and fighting inflammation. The kidneys are packed with mitochondria. [8]

Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Other Eye Diseases

Macular degeneration robs millions of their eyesight, slowly but surely — and it has no reliable treatment at the moment. Early research has made SS-31 an exciting area of study. So far, SS-31 was shown to protect photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial cells from degradation caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. [9] What’s more, research into the potential of SS-31 in treating glaucoma is also in full swing [10].

Who Might Consider SS-31?

You’ve seen a glimpse of the current study directions, but it’s still early days for SS-31. The potential is there — ready for any researcher excited to make breakthroughs. Those breakthroughs range from bringing potential treatment options to people with ultra-rare mitochondrial diseases to the study of aging itself.

SS-31 is particularly relevant for researchers investigating:

• Aging and longevity — reversing mitochondrial degradation is relevant in all areas of aging, starting with muscle, heart, and kidney tissue, and research also hints at better cognitive performance.
• Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative conditions which coincide with severe mitochondrial dysfunction.
• Cardioprotection after a heart attack, including faster recovery.

The mitochondria power everything. And everyone. The research applications of SS-31 are wide open.

Common Research Dosing Protocols for SS-31 In-vitro Setting

Existing research protocols have led to a standard dosing protocol of 1 mg to 5 mg per day — or 0.5 to 5.0 mg per kg based on the model’s weight. Most study designs begin with a lower dose to observe how the model responds and titrate up from there. Some designs trial shorter or even single doses in response to acute situations.

Dosing is, of course, dependent on the model and research goal. Investigators should consult the existing literature.

The side effect profile is favorable overall, including in phase 1 and 2 human trials with long-term use. Administration is subcutaneous or intraperitoneal, and SS-31 has to be reconstituted from the lyophilized form. This is done with bacteriostatic water (never tap or distilled) — add 2 mL to a 10 mg vial of SS-31. Reconstituted SS-31 can be stored at temperatures between 2 and 8°C for multi-dose applications, to be used within 30-60 days and discarded when cloudy.

For new researchers, we encourage to use our comprehensive peptide calculator – which shows how much peptide you should draw in order to achieve the desired dose based on how much BAC water you added.

FAQ

What does SS-31 do for the kidneys?

SS-31, research suggests, protects kidney function by improving mitochondrial health in the energy-intensive tubules. Studies in chronic and acute models have demonstrated lower oxidative stress, less inflammation, and reduced tubular cell death.

Does SS-31 have any potential weight loss applications?

This peptide mainly improves cellular energy production. It’s not a weight loss peptide. Mitochondrial function is relevant throughout the body, however, and SS-31 might improve metabolic health and indirectly support weight loss. To be determined by future studies.

What are the side effects of SS-31?

This peptide has an exceptionally good safety profile comparable to placebo. Redness is the main possible side effect.

What are the beneficial effects of SS-31 on cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in Tafazzin knockdown mice?

This question is about a Barth syndrome model — TAZ-KD mice. SS-31 successfully restored heart function, improved mitochondrial morphology (prevented abnormal cristae shape), boosted ATP, and reduced reactive oxygen species. This research was absolutely integral to advancing SS-31 in clinical trials!

Scientific References

1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9562127/
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acel.70026
3. https://academic.oup.com/hmg/article/26/8/1483/2982370
4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.202408581
5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-64368-y
6. https://www.bioenergetics-communications.org/index.php/bec/article/view/aasander_frostner_2022
7. https://journals.lww.com/jasn/abstract/2013/08000/the_mitochondrial_targeted_compound_ss_31.13.aspx
8. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1155/2022/1295509
9. https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/9/2483
10. https://academic.oup.com/abbs/article/51/4/411/5366303