Side-by-side · Research reference

CartalaxvsSS-31

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED10/32 cited

BPhase 3HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

Cartalax

Bioregulator Peptide · Khavinson School

CartilagePrimary tissuePovorozniuk 2007

MSC → ChondrocyteDifferentiation axisLinkova 2023

BMD ↑Bone density effectPovorozniuk 2007

SQ · Protocol Unspecified

SS-31

Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective

40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014

Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009 Szeto 2014

~3 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

Cartalax

SS-31

Primary target

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergoing chondrogenic differentiationLinkova 2023

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

Pathway

Modulation of WNT, ERK-p38, and Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathwaysLinkova 2023

Cardiolipin binding → cristae stabilisation → ETC integrity → reduced ROS + preserved ATP synthesisSzeto 2014 Szilagyi 2009

Downstream effect

Upregulation of chondrogenic genes (COL2, SOX9, ACAN); increased bone mineral density; osteoprotective effects in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosisLinkova 2023 Povorozniuk 2007

Mitochondrial bioenergetic preservation; cardio-, neuro-, and reno-protective effects in animal + clinical studiesSzeto 2014

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

Derived from cartilaginous tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)Povorozniuk 2007

Synthetic tetrapeptide D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂; cell-permeable, mitochondrial-selectiveSzeto 2014

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Cartalax

SS-31

Animal model dose

Unspecified (cartilaginous tissue extract protocol)

Rat study; extract preparation details not indexed in available abstracts.

—

Human dosing

Not established in PubMed-indexed literature

Russian-tradition protocols exist but lack peer-reviewed Western validation.

—

Evidence basis

Animal mechanistic studies only

Multiple Phase 3 trials (Barth, AMD, ischemia-reperfusion)Szeto 2014 Szilagyi 2009

Standard dose

—

40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014

Anecdotal community range 5-10 mg/day. Phase 3 trials use 40 mg.

Frequency

—

Once daily

Lower / starter dose

—

5 mg / day (anecdotal)

Duration

—

Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

Morning fasted preferred; pre-workout for exercise-induced mitochondrial stress

Half-life

—

~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

Cartalax

SS-31

Fat loss evidence

None — primary target is cartilage and bone tissue, not adipose

—

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Cartalax

SS-31

Documented adverse effects

None reported in indexed animal studies

—

Human safety data

Not available in PubMed-indexed literature

—

Injection site reaction

—

Erythema, mild pruritus

GI symptoms

—

Nausea (uncommon)

Headache

—

Reported in some Phase 3 trials

Cardiovascular

—

Cardio-protective in studies; no signal of harm

Long-term safety

—

Phase 3 data over 24+ months; no major safety signalsSzeto 2014

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

Cartalax

·Unknown due to lack of human clinical trial data

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

Cartalax

·Active malignancy (theoretical; peptide bioregulators may influence cell proliferation pathways)

SS-31

·None established

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Cartalax

SS-31

1. Route

Subcutaneous injection typical for Khavinson bioregulators; specific protocols not detailed in indexed literature.

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

2. Frequency

Russian-tradition protocols often employ 10-day cycles; precise frequency unspecified in available abstracts.

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Storage

Lyophilised peptide bioregulators typically stored at 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstitution details not indexed.

Morning fasted; pre-workout for exercise-augmented mitochondrial stress.

4. Storage

—

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

Cartalax

— no documented stacks

SS-31

+ MOTS-c

Moderate

View MOTS-c →

SS-31 and MOTS-c address mitochondrial decline through complementary axes. SS-31 protects existing mitochondrial structure (cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation). MOTS-c upregulates AMPK/PGC-1α, triggering biogenesis of new mitochondria. Together they pair preservation with renewal — anecdotally favoured in healthspan and post-cardio-event recovery protocols.

SS-31: 5–10 mg SQ · daily morning
MOTS-c: 5 mg SQ · 2× per week pre-workout
Primary benefit: Mitochondrial preservation + biogenesis