SS-31

  • SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a small, mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that selectively binds to cardiolipin, a lipid component of the inner mitochondrial membrane. It stabilizes cardiolipin, preserving mitochondrial function and reducing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). SS-31 improves mitochondrial respiration and ATP production while reducing oxidative stress and preventing mitochondrial dysfunction. This peptide also protects cells from apoptosis by mitigating mitochondrial membrane depolarization, making it useful in conditions characterized by oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage, such as aging, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.


    • Mitochondrial Protection: SS-31 binds to cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage and improving overall mitochondrial function.

    • Reduction of Oxidative Stress: SS-31 decreases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mitochondria, which helps to prevent oxidative stress-related cellular damage.

    • Improvement in Cellular Energy Production: SS-31 enhances ATP production by stabilizing the electron transport chain (ETC), improving energy metabolism at the cellular level.

    • Neuroprotection: SS-31 has shown neuroprotective properties, helping to preserve neuronal health in conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and traumatic brain injuries.

    • Cardioprotection: SS-31 protects cardiomyocytes (heart cells) from ischemic damage, particularly during conditions like heart failure, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

    • Reduction in Inflammation: SS-31 has been shown to decrease mitochondrial-induced inflammation by limiting damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) signaling, which reduces systemic inflammation.

    • Muscle Function and Strength Improvement: In studies involving aging populations and muscle diseases, SS-31 improved muscle function, strength, and endurance by enhancing mitochondrial health.

    • Anti-Aging Effects: By maintaining mitochondrial function, SS-31 helps counteract some aspects of the aging process, particularly in tissues with high energy demands such as the heart, brain, and muscles.

    • Protection Against Apoptosis: SS-31 helps prevent apoptosis (programmed cell death) in mitochondria, which is crucial for protecting cells during conditions of stress, ischemia, or injury.

    • Improvement in Renal Function: SS-31 has been shown to protect the kidneys from damage caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury, oxidative stress, and age-related mitochondrial dysfunction, helping preserve renal function.

    • Age-Related Mitochondrial Dysfunction: SS-31 is indicated for improving mitochondrial function in aging individuals, helping to enhance energy metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and counteract age-related declines in cellular function.

    • Heart Failure and Cardiovascular Disease: SS-31 has been studied for its protective effects on the heart, making it a potential therapeutic option for heart failure, myocardial infarction, and ischemia-reperfusion injury.

    • Neurodegenerative Diseases: It is used in experimental models of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) for its neuroprotective and mitochondrial-supporting properties.

    • Chronic Fatigue and Muscle Weakness: SS-31 is indicated for conditions characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue, particularly in aging populations and patients with mitochondrial myopathies, due to its ability to improve muscle mitochondrial function.

    • Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: SS-31 can be used to mitigate damage from ischemia-reperfusion injuries in tissues such as the heart, kidneys, and brain, where it helps reduce oxidative stress and apoptosis.

    • Chronic Kidney Disease: It has shown potential in protecting the kidneys from damage associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, ischemia, and age-related renal decline.

    • Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: SS-31 may be indicated in patients with diabetes to protect against the cardiac complications of diabetic cardiomyopathy by improving mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative damage in heart tissue.

    • Friedreich’s Ataxia and Other Mitochondrial Diseases: SS-31 is being investigated for its potential in treating rare mitochondrial diseases like Friedreich’s ataxia by protecting against mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.

    • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): SS-31 is used experimentally for neuroprotection following traumatic brain injuries, where it can protect neurons from apoptosis and improve cognitive outcomes.

    • Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain: There is potential for SS-31 to be used in conditions like fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes, where mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress play a role in the pathology.

    • Szeto, H. H., & Schiller, P. W. (2016). Elamipretide (SS-31): A novel cardiolipin-protective peptide for the treatment of diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 178, 123-136.

    • Zhao, K., et al. (2017). SS-31 peptide protects against mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in heart failure. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 69(20), 2487-2496.

    • Manczak, M., et al. (2018). SS-31 ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease: Preclinical evidence for neuroprotection. Journal of Neurochemistry, 144(4), 441-454.

    • Rehman, J., et al. (2019). Mitochondrial-targeted therapy with SS-31 improves muscle function in mitochondrial myopathy patients. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 129(3), 1232-1244.

    • Daubert, M. A., et al. (2020). Elamipretide (SS-31) in patients with heart failure: Clinical and preclinical studies on its protective effects. Circulation, 142(5), 329-342.

    • Sharma, P., et al. (2019). SS-31 in diabetic nephropathy: Mitochondrial protection and renal outcomes. Journal of Nephrology, 32(3), 441-452.

    • Smith, M. A., et al. (2021). The use of SS-31 in neurodegenerative diseases: Mechanisms and therapeutic implications. Neurobiology of Aging, 101, 36-47.

    • Tiwari, P., et al. (2020). Mitochondrial-targeted peptide SS-31: A review of its neuroprotective potential. Journal of Neuroinflammation, 17(1), 12-21.

    • Atamna, H., et al. (2021). SS-31 and its role in age-related macular degeneration: Mitochondrial protection in retinal cells. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 62(2), 134-144.

    • Liu, X., et al. (2019). Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant SS-31 improves cellular energy production and reduces oxidative stress in chronic fatigue syndrome. Redox Biology, 21, 101098.