Side-by-side · Research reference

SS-31vsTB-500

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

APhase 3Reviewed9/43 cited

BPhase 2Reviewed8/46 cited

SS-31

Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective

40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014

Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009 Szeto 2014

~3 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

TB-500

Thymosin β4 fragment · Healing

2 mgPer doseGoldstein 2012

Phase 2Evidence levelGoldstein 2012

~2 hrHalf-life

SQ or IM · Multiple sites · 2–3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

SS-31

TB-500

Primary target

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

G-actin (sequestering) + cell-surface integrinsGoldstein 2012

Pathway

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

Actin remodelling → cell migration; integrin-linked signaling → angiogenesis; anti-inflammatory cytokine modulationGoldstein 2012 Malinda 1999

Downstream effect

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

Accelerated wound healing, endothelial migration, hair follicle regeneration, cardiac repair (preclinical)Goldstein 2012

Feedback intact?

—

Endogenous protein at baseline; supplementation amplifies

Origin

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

17-AA active fragment of endogenous 43-AA thymosin β4 (TMSB4X gene)Goldstein 2012

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

SS-31

TB-500

Standard dose

40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014

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

2 mg per injectionGoldstein 2012

Anecdotal community range; clinical Phase 2 trials used 70–840 mcg/kg IV.

Frequency

Once daily

2× per week (loading); then 1× per week (maintenance)

Lower / starter dose

5 mg / day (anecdotal)

1 mg per injection

Evidence basis

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

Animal-strong + Phase 2 dermal/ocular trialsGoldstein 2012

Duration

Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use

4–8 weeks loading; longer maintenance for chronic injury

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Bacteriostatic water, 1–2 mL per 5 mg vial

Timing

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

Evening or pre-rest preferred (anecdotal)

Half-life

~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

~2 hours (estimated; tissue uptake longer)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

SS-31

TB-500

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

Mild erythema, transient pain

GI symptoms

Nausea (uncommon)

Rare nausea (anecdotal)

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

Unknown beyond Phase 2

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid — insufficient data

Avoid

Cancer risk

—

Theoretical via angiogenesis pathway

Lethargy / fatigue

—

Reported anecdotally during loading phase

Antibody formation

—

No data (no long-term human trials)

Absolute Contraindications

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

TB-500

·Active malignancy (theoretical angiogenesis concern)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

SS-31

·None established

TB-500

·Cancer history
·Concurrent VEGF inhibitor therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

SS-31

TB-500

1. Reconstitution

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 5 mg vial → 2.5–5 mg/mL. Roll gently.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ near injury site (preferred), or systemic SQ (abdomen). Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Evening or pre-sleep is most common anecdotal timing.

4. Storage

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

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

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

27–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

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

TB-500

+ BPC-157

Strong

View BPC-157 →

TB-500 and BPC-157 cover complementary halves of tissue repair: BPC-157 upregulates VEGFR2-driven angiogenesis and fibroblast outgrowth; TB-500 sequesters G-actin to enable endothelial / epithelial migration. The anecdotal canonical "healing stack" — pairs especially well for tendon and ligament injuries.

TB-500: 2 mg SQ · 2× per week
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
Primary benefit: Combined angiogenesis + cell migration for tendon/ligament/muscle repair