Side-by-side · Research reference

LivagenvsSS-31

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

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED20/32 cited

BPhase 3HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

Livagen

Khavinson Bioregulator · Hepatoprotective Tetrapeptide

50%Dipeptidase inhibitionTimofeeva 2005

Oral / SQRoutes tested

LiverTarget tissueKhavinson 2001

Oral or SQ · Tissue-specific to liver

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

Livagen

SS-31

Primary target

Hepatocyte protein synthesis machineryBrodskiĭ 2001

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

Pathway

Tissue-specific bioregulator → Hepatocyte stimulation → Protein synthesis normalizationBrodskiĭ 2001 Khavinson 2001

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

Downstream effect

Age-dependent enzyme normalization, hepatoprotection in fibrosis/hepatitis models, elevated protein synthesis in senescent hepatocytes

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

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

Directed chemical synthesis from amino acid analysis of liver polypeptide preparations (Ventvil)

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

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

Livagen

SS-31

Animal dose (oral)

Not specified in abstracts; 2-week administration protocolTimofeeva 2005

Per os administration in rats.

—

Duration (experimental)

2 weeks (enzyme study); up to 24 months (cell culture)Timofeeva 2005 Brodskiĭ 2001

—

Route

Oral or subcutaneous

Resists peptidase hydrolysis, enabling oral bioavailability.Timofeeva 2005

—

Evidence basis

Animal models (rats, 1–24 months age); in vitro hepatocyte cultureTimofeeva 2005 Brodskiĭ 2001 Khavinson 2002

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

Human data

None in provided literature

—

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

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

Livagen

SS-31

Reported adverse effects

None documented in animal studies

—

Human safety data

No human trials in provided literature

—

Peptide hydrolysis

Weakly hydrolyzed; minimal breakdown by intestinal enzymesTimofeeva 2005

—

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

Livagen

—

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Relative Contraindications

Livagen

—

SS-31

·None established

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

Livagen

SS-31

1. Route selection

Oral administration supported by peptidase resistance. Subcutaneous route used in organotypic culture experiments.Timofeeva 2005 Khavinson 2001

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

2. Timing

No specific timing documented. Two-week protocols used in animal models with daily administration.Timofeeva 2005

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Age-dependent response

Elderly individuals may exhibit different enzyme normalization patterns than younger cohorts, based on rat age-stratified findings.Timofeeva 2005

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

Livagen

— 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