Side-by-side · Research reference

SS-31vsThymalin

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

APhase 3Reviewed9/43 cited

BHuman-MechanisticDraft12/40 cited

SS-31

Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective

40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014

Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009 Szeto 2014

~3 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

Thymalin

Immune restorer · Russian peptide bioregulator

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2002

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2002

HoursHalf-life (est)

IM · Daily for 5–10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

SS-31

Thymalin

Primary target

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

T-cell precursors + thymus-axis maturation pathwayKhavinson 2002

Pathway

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

Modulation of T-cell differentiation + thymic hormone restoration in age-involuted thymusKhavinson 2002

Downstream effect

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

Restored T-cell populations, improved immune surveillance, reduced infection rates in elderlyKhavinson 2002

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Polypeptide fraction isolated from calf thymus extractKhavinson 2002

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

SS-31

Thymalin

Standard dose

40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014

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

5–10 mg / day IM × 5–10 daysKhavinson 2002

Frequency

Once daily

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

5 mg / day (anecdotal)

2.5 mg / day

Evidence basis

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

Russian clinical + in vitroKhavinson 2002

Duration

Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use

5–10 day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Saline or bacteriostatic water

Timing

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

Morning preferred

Half-life

~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

Hours (estimated)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

SS-31

Thymalin

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

Mild erythema at IM site

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

Limited Western data

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid — insufficient data

Avoid

Allergic reaction

—

Rare hypersensitivity to bovine-derived polypeptide

Autoimmune flare

—

Theoretical risk in active autoimmune disease

Absolute Contraindications

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Thymalin

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Bovine protein hypersensitivity

Relative Contraindications

SS-31

·None established

Thymalin

·Active autoimmune disease
·Concurrent immunosuppressant therapy

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

SS-31

Thymalin

1. Reconstitution

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

Add 1–2 mL saline or bacteriostatic water per 10 mg vial.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Intramuscular — deltoid or gluteal. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Morning preferred during cycle.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: use immediately.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

23–25G, 25–38 mm IM needle.

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

Thymalin

+ Thymosin α-1

Moderate

View Thymosin α-1 →

Thymalin is a polypeptide complex; Thymosin α-1 is a single purified peptide. Both target the thymus-axis but at different levels — Thymalin restores broad thymic signaling; Tα-1 provides a specific molecular activator. Anecdotally combined for elderly immune support.

Thymalin: 5–10 mg IM · daily × 7 days
Thymosin α-1: 1.6 mg SQ · 2× weekly during the cycle
Primary benefit: Broad thymic restoration + targeted immune activation

Khavinson 2002 Camerini 2001