SS-31 Dosing Protocol: Elamipretide Mitochondrial Guide
Also known as: Elamipretide, Bendavia, MTP-131
What is a Peptide?
A short chain of amino acids (2-50) linked by peptide bonds. Smaller than proteins. Your body produces thousands of peptides naturally as signaling molecules that regulate everything from appetite to healing. Therapeutic peptides mimic or enhance these natural signals.
SS-31 is the same active compound as (investigational) (Stealth BioTherapeutics). Not FDA approved in the US.
Research reference only. SS-31 is not FDA approved for human use (unless specified above). This information does not constitute medical advice.
Overview
SS-31 is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide that binds to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It improves mitochondrial function and reduces oxidative stress.
Mechanisms of Action
- Binds to cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membrane
- Improves electron transport chain efficiency
- Reduces mitochondrial ROS production
- Preserves mitochondrial cristae structure
Research Protocols
Summaries of published research. For educational purposes only.
| Protocol Name | Source | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Route | Evidence | Link | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitochondrial Support Protocol | clinical trial | 0.05 mg/kg/hr | 1-hour infusion | 48 weeks in clinical trials | Intravenous infusion | clinical trial | Sign in to Save |
Related Studies
Elamipretide: First Approval.
Human StudyElamipretide is also under phase III clinical development for use in the treatment of dry age-related macular degeneration and mitochondrial myopathies. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of elamipretide leading to this first approval for Barth syndrome.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Elamipretide Hydrochloride.
Animal StudyElamipretide Hydrochloride. (American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 2026)
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
Further research may expand its application to other diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction as well as investigate long-term efficacy and safety of the drug. The following review synthesizes current knowledge of the structure, mechanisms of action, and the promising therapeutic role of Elamipretide in stabilizing mitochondrial fitness, improving mitochondrial bioenergetics, and minimizing oxidative stress.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
SS-31@Fer-1 Alleviates ferroptosis in hypoxia/reoxygenation cardiomyocytes via mitochondrial targeting.
Animal StudySS-31@Fer-1 significantly improved H/R-induced cardiomyocyte viability and reduced LDH and CK-MB levels. Compared to the Fer-1 group, SS-31@Fer-1 reduced GSH and increased MDA levels, enhancing mitochondrial integrity and function.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
Additionally, dietary interventions and novel regulators such as adenogens are emerging as promising strategies to modulate mitochondrial function and attenuate kidney disease progression. Future research should address the gaps in understanding the role of mitophagy in CAKUT and optimize targeted delivery systems for precision therapies.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Contemporary insights into elamipretide's mitochondrial mechanism of action and therapeutic effects.
Human StudyElamipretide continues to show promise as a potential therapy for mitochondrial disorders. New basic science advances have improved understanding of elamipretide's MOA, enabling a better understanding of the molecular consequences of elamipretide-cardiolipin interactions.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Challenges include overcoming the blood-retinal barrier, surgical complications with implantable devices, and ensuring patient adherence. Advances in smart delivery systems, drug formulations, and predictive models, alongside interdisciplinary collaboration, will be crucial in achieving personalized, effective, and sustainable retinal therapies.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Telomere length in offspring is determined by mitochondrial-nuclear communication at fertilization.
Animal StudyWe further demonstrate that telomere elongation during ICM formation is controlled by mitochondrial-nuclear communication at fertilization. Using mitochondrially-targeted therapeutics (BGP-15, MitoQ, SS-31, metformin) we demonstrate that it is possible to modulate the preimplantation telomere resetting process and restore deficiencies in neonatal telomere length.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
Affected males transmit the TAFAZZIN pathogenic variant to all of their daughters and none of their sons. If the TAFAZZIN pathogenic variant has been identified in an affected family member, identification of female heterozygotes and prenatal/preimplantation genetic testing for Barth syndrome are possible.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Here, we showed that increased oxidized cardiolipin (ox-CL) and significant mitochondrial damage were accompanied by increased ALCAT1 expression in the glomeruli of patients with DKD. Similar results were found in db/db mouse kidneys and in cultured podocytes stimulated with high glucose (HG).
Limitations: No placebo control reported.
Ten patients entered the OLE; 8 reached the week 168 visit. Elamipretide was well tolerated, with injection-site reactions being the most common adverse events.
Limitations: Standard limitations apply. Check original paper for full discussion.
Subjects with mtDNA pathogenic variants or single large-scale mtDNA deletions represented 74% of the MMPOWER-3 population, with 70% in the mtDNA cohort having either single large-scale mtDNA deletions or MT-TL1 pathogenic variants. Most subjects in the nDNA cohort had pathogenic variants in genes required for mtDNA maintenance (mtDNA replisome), the majority of which were in POLG and TWNK.
Limitations: Standard limitations apply. Check original paper for full discussion.
A novel hierarchical action liposome nanosystem (PHP-DPS@INS) was developed in this study. In terms of delivery, PHP-DPS@INS nanoparticles (NPs) overcame the ocular surface transport barrier by adopting the strategy of "ocular surface electrostatic adhesion-lysosomal site-directed escape".
Limitations: No placebo control reported.
Neuroprotective Effects of a Small Mitochondrially-Targeted Tetrapeptide Elamipretide in Neurodegeneration.
Animal StudyThese findings suggest that elamipretide may prevent the progressive development of neurodegenerative diseases via enhancing mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fusion, and neural pro-survival pathway, as well as inhibiting mitochondrial fission, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, toxic protein accumulation, and neural apoptosis. Elamipretide or mitochondrially-targeted peptide might be a targeted agent to attenuate neurodegenerative progression.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain. Review article — no new primary data.
Participants (N = 218) were randomized (n = 109 elamipretide; n = 109 placebo). The m0ean age was 45.6 years (64% women; 94% White).
Limitations: Standard limitations apply. Check original paper for full discussion.
Ultimately, we applied asiatic acid (a p38-MAPK agonist) to test whether SS-31 regulated cPLA2 partially through the MAPK-P38 signalling pathway. Our group is the first to suggest that SS-31 promotes functional recovery partially by inhibiting cPLA2-mediated autophagy impairment and preventing LMP and pyroptosis after SCI, which may have potential clinical application value.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
These findings indicated that SS-31 protected against pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation by inhibiting the Nrf2-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophages. Our data provide initial evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of SS-31 in IPF.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
In a rat MI model, the resulting liposomal composite hydrogel improves cardiac function by scavenging excess ROS, improving mitochondrial dysfunction, and promoting angiogenesis. This study reports for the first time a liposomal composite hydrogel that can directly target mitochondria of damaged CMs for a feedback-regulated release of encapsulated liposomes to consume the overproduced pathological ROS for improved CM activity and enhanced MI treatment.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
In early-phase clinical trials, elamipretide administration has not resulted in any severe adverse events, and it has shown promising improvements in cardiac hemodynamics at highest doses. Nonetheless, additional studies are necessary to describe the long-term safety and efficacy of elamipretide.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Elamipretide (SS-31) treatment attenuates age-associated post-translational modifications of heart proteins.
Animal StudyParallel reaction monitoring of a subset of phosphorylation sites revealed that the unmodified peptide reporting for Myot S231 increased with age, but not its phosphorylated form and that both phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of the peptide covering cMyBP-C S307 increased, but that elamipretide treatment did not affect these changes. These results suggest that changes to thiol redox state and phosphorylation status are two ways in which age may affect mouse heart function, which can be restored by treatment with elamipretide.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
Elamipretide for Barth syndrome cardiomyopathy: gradual rebuilding of a failed power grid.
Human StudyData with elamipretide across multiple models of disease are especially promising, with results from several studies supporting the use of elamipretide as potential therapy for patients with Barth syndrome, particularly where there is a confirmed diagnosis of cardiomyopathy. This review highlights the challenges and opportunities presented in treating Barth syndrome cardiomyopathy patients with elamipretide and addresses evidence supporting the durability of effect of elamipretide as a therapeutic agent for Barth syndrome, especially its likely durable effects on progression of cardiomyopathy following the cessation of drug treatment and the capability of elamipretide to structurally reverse remodel the failing left ventricle at the global, cellular, and molecular level in a gradual manner through specific targeting of the mitochondrial inner membrane.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
This review article discusses the potential candidates for AMD therapy and their known mechanisms of cytoprotection in AMD. These target therapeutic candidates include APE/REF-1, MRZ-99030, Ciliary NeuroTrophic Factor (CNTF), RAP1 GTPase, Celecoxib, and SS-31/Elamipretide.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Surprisingly, we did not observe a synergistic effect between the two drugs in the group receiving both etanercept and MTP-131. One possible explanation for the absence of a synergistic effect is that MTP-131 and etanercept may be acting on different portions of the same pathway.
Limitations: No placebo control reported. Review article — no new primary data.
Mice treated with LPS exhibited mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, an inflammatory response, neural cell apoptosis, and loss of dendritic spines in the hippocampus, leading to impaired hippocampus-related learning and memory performance in the MWM and contextual fear conditioning test. Treatment with elamipretide significantly ameliorated LPS-induced learning and memory impairment during behavioral tests.
Limitations: Animal study only — human translation uncertain.
Community Outcomes
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Outcomes are self-reported and unverified. They represent individual experiences and may not reflect typical results.
Important Warnings
- •Not FDA approved
- •IV administration requires medical setting
- •Long-term safety data limited
- •Very expensive
Where to Get SS-31
Licensed Compounding Pharmacy
Requires a prescription from a licensed provider. Compounding pharmacies can prepare custom formulations of SS-31 tailored to your prescribed dose.
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Get evaluated by a licensed physician online. Many telehealth providers specialize in peptide therapy and can prescribe SS-31 if clinically appropriate.
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