SS-31

Information

WHAT IS SS-31?

SS-31 (also known as Elamipretide) is a synthetic peptide composed of a sequence of amino acids, primarily designed to target mitochondrial dysfunction. It has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects, particularly in diseases involving mitochondrial dysfunction, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and certain metabolic disorders.

Here are key details about SS-31:

Mechanism of Action:

Mitochondrial Targeting: SS-31 is known to specifically target the inner mitochondrial membrane. It binds to cardiolipin, a phospholipid found in the mitochondria, and helps stabilize the mitochondrial membrane.
Mitochondrial Protection: By binding to cardiolipin, SS-31 helps protect mitochondria from oxidative stress, which is a common contributor to cellular damage in many diseases. It is believed to improve mitochondrial function by reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, stabilizing the mitochondrial membrane potential, and enhancing overall mitochondrial health.

Potential Benefits and Applications:

Neurodegenerative Diseases: SS-31 has been explored for its potential to mitigate the effects of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to its ability to protect mitochondrial function in neurons.
Cardiovascular Diseases: SS-31 has been studied for its potential to protect the heart in conditions like ischemia-reperfusion injury, heart failure, and other cardiovascular disorders.
Metabolic Disorders: Some studies suggest that SS-31 may help improve insulin sensitivity and prevent metabolic dysfunction associated with diabetes.

Clinical Research and Trials:

SS-31 has undergone clinical trials, especially in the context of mitochondrial diseases, and has demonstrated a promising safety profile. However, while there is substantial preclinical evidence of its benefits, more clinical data is required to determine its long-term efficacy and approval for widespread use.

BENEFITS

The potential benefits of SS-31 (Elamipretide) are mainly related to its ability to improve mitochondrial function and protect against oxidative stress. These benefits have been explored in various clinical and preclinical settings, particularly for conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Here are the main areas where SS-31 shows promise:

1. Neuroprotection

Neurodegenerative Diseases: SS-31 has shown potential in protecting neurons from damage caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases like:Alzheimer's disease: It may help reduce oxidative stress, a key contributor to the progression of Alzheimer's, potentially slowing disease progression.
Parkinson's disease: By targeting the mitochondria, SS-31 can reduce damage to dopaminergic neurons, which are heavily impacted in Parkinson’s.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): SS-31 might help preserve motor neurons and slow down neurodegeneration in ALS, a disease that leads to the progressive degeneration of motor neurons.

2. Cardioprotective Effects

Heart Disease: SS-31 has been studied for its potential to protect against ischemia-reperfusion injury (damage caused when blood supply returns to tissue after a period of ischemia or lack of oxygen). This can be especially beneficial in heart attacks, where SS-31 might reduce oxidative damage to the heart tissue and help restore normal heart function.
Heart Failure: It may improve mitochondrial function in heart cells, leading to better energy production and reduced cell death, which can benefit those with heart failure.

3. Metabolic Health

Diabetes and Insulin Resistance: Some studies suggest that SS-31 could improve mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle, potentially improving insulin sensitivity and helping with metabolic disorders like Type 2 diabetes.
Obesity: SS-31 might help improve energy metabolism, which could be beneficial in obesity, though this benefit still requires further research.

4. Muscle Function and Performance

Skeletal Muscle Protection: SS-31 could protect muscles from oxidative damage and enhance mitochondrial function, which may be beneficial in conditions that cause muscle weakness, such as muscular dystrophy.
Exercise Recovery: Some studies suggest SS-31 may aid in muscle recovery after intense exercise by reducing oxidative damage and improving mitochondrial efficiency.

5. Reduced Oxidative Stress

SS-31 reduces the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are harmful molecules produced by mitochondria under stress. By stabilizing mitochondrial membranes and enhancing the efficiency of energy production, SS-31 can lower oxidative stress, which is implicated in aging and various chronic diseases.

6. Potential in Aging and Longevity

Anti-aging effects: Given its role in maintaining mitochondrial health and reducing oxidative stress, SS-31 may have applications in slowing the aging process or mitigating age-related diseases. This is an area of ongoing research.

Summary of Key Benefits:

Protects and stabilizes mitochondrial function.
Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
Potentially slows the progression of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, Parkinson's).
Offers heart protection, particularly in cases of ischemia-reperfusion injury and heart failure.
Improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic function.
Could enhance muscle function and recovery.

Clinical Potential:

While SS-31 shows substantial preclinical promise, clinical evidence in humans is still developing. It has passed some early-stage clinical trials with encouraging results, especially for its safety and preliminary effectiveness in certain conditions like heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases.

DOSE AND CYCLE

The dose and cycle of SS-31 (Elamipretide) can vary depending on the condition being treated, the formulation used, and the stage of clinical research. As SS-31 is still primarily being studied in clinical trials, standardized dosing guidelines are not fully established. However, based on clinical studies and ongoing research, here’s a general overview:

1. Dose in Clinical Studies:

Typical Dosing Range: In clinical trials, doses of SS-31 have varied, but common doses used range from 0.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg of body weight per day. For example, some trials have used a dose of 1 mg/kg/day, administered via injection.
Formulation: SS-31 is often delivered via intravenous (IV) injection or subcutaneous (SC) injection in clinical trials. There is also research into oral formulations, but intravenous or subcutaneous injections are more common in studies as they offer better bioavailability.

2. Typical Treatment Cycles:

The cycle length of SS-31 treatment in clinical trials can vary depending on the condition being treated, but most cycles tend to be several weeks to months. For instance, in some studies, SS-31 was administered daily or several times a week for 4 to 12 weeks.
Continuous vs. Intermittent Dosing: Some studies use continuous dosing, while others might alternate periods of treatment with rest periods (e.g., 4-6 weeks on treatment followed by a break).

3. Cycle and Timing Considerations:

In heart-related studies (like those involving ischemia-reperfusion injury), SS-31 has been administered around the time of injury (during surgery or post-injury) as well as in chronic treatment protocols aimed at improving long-term mitochondrial function.
For neurodegenerative diseases, SS-31 is generally used in longer treatment cycles (e.g., 3 months or more), aiming to slow disease progression or reduce mitochondrial damage over time.

4. Administration and Frequency:

Daily Dosing: Many studies used daily injections or dosing multiple times per week.
In some studies, SS-31 was administered intravenously, while in others, it was subcutaneously injected.
Oral Formulations: Research into oral delivery methods is still in progress, but these would likely involve similar dosing protocols adjusted for bioavailability when compared to injectables.

Important Notes:

Personalized Dosing: The exact dose and cycle may be adjusted based on individual patient needs, medical history, and the severity of the condition being treated.
Safety and Side Effects: SS-31 has shown a good safety profile in clinical trials, but like any drug, the dose may need to be carefully managed, especially in clinical settings where patients have comorbid conditions (e.g., cardiovascular disease, diabetes).

Summary:

Dose: Typically 0.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg per day in clinical trials.
Cycle: Can range from 4 weeks to 3 months or more, depending on the condition and individual response.
Frequency: Often administered daily or several times a week, via injection (IV or subcutaneous).