Side-by-side · Research reference

SS-31vsVesugen

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

APhase 3HUMAN-REVIEWED9/43 cited

BAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED5/43 cited

SS-31

Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective

40 mgDaily doseSzeto 2014

Phase 3Evidence levelSzilagyi 2009 Szeto 2014

~3 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Once daily

Vesugen

Bioregulatory Tripeptide · Vascular Endothelium

3 AATripeptide

Endothelin-1 ↓Atherosclerotic tissue

Ki-67 ↑Aged endothelium

SQ / IM · Protocol varies

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

SS-31

Vesugen

Primary target

Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014

Vascular endothelial cell nucleus — MKI67 gene promoter

Pathway

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

KED → MKI67 promoter interaction (CATC binding motif -14 to +12 bp) → Ki-67 proliferation protein ↑

Downstream effect

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

Normalised endothelin-1 expression in atherosclerotic/restenotic endothelium, restored connexin expression for cell-cell communication, enhanced proliferative capacity in senescent endothelial culturesKozlov 2016 Khavinson 2014

Feedback intact?

—

Not applicable — does not operate via hormone axis

Origin

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

Khavinson bioregulatory peptide school — designed as tissue-specific (vascular) cytomodulator

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

SS-31

Vesugen

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

Not specified in available literature

Lower / starter dose

5 mg / day (anecdotal)

—

Evidence basis

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

Animal models (atherosclerosis, restenosis, aging) · Russian case series

Duration

Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use

Case series report treatment courses in elderly arterial insufficiency

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

—

Timing

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

—

Half-life

~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer

Not reported

Tripeptides typically cleared rapidly.

Standard dose (reported)

—

Not standardised — Russian clinical case series

Protocols vary; no FDA-approved regimen.

Route

—

Subcutaneous or intramuscular

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

SS-31

Vesugen

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

Unknown — no long-term RCT data

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid — insufficient data

—

Reported adverse events

—

None documented in available abstracts

Injection site

—

Assumed minimal — typical for small peptides

Epigenetic mechanism risk

—

Theoretical concern: direct gene promoter interaction — proliferative effects in non-target tissues not characterised

Absolute Contraindications

SS-31

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to peptide

Vesugen

—

Relative Contraindications

SS-31

·None established

Vesugen

·Active malignancy — proliferative mechanism (Ki-67 upregulation) untested in oncologic context

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

SS-31

Vesugen

1. Reconstitution

Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.

Lyophilised powder reconstituted with sterile water or bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. No standardised formulation.

2. Injection site

SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

Subcutaneous (abdomen, thigh) or intramuscular. Rotate sites if multi-dose protocol.

3. Timing

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

No reported circadian or fasting requirement. Russian protocols typically integrated into geroprotective regimens.

4. Storage

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

Lyophilised: refrigerate 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstituted: use immediately or refrigerate per supplier guidance (typically <7 days).

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

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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

Vesugen

+ Thymalin

Multi-pathway

View Thymalin →

Both from Khavinson bioregulatory school. Thymalin targets thymic/immune axis, Vesugen targets vascular endothelium. Rationale: multi-system geroprotection in elderly — immune senescence + vascular aging. Documented in Khavinson-tradition protocols combining tissue-specific peptides for poly-organ rejuvenation. No direct synergy study; combinatorial logic based on distinct target tissues.

Vesugen: Per protocol (SQ/IM)
Thymalin: Per protocol (SQ/IM)
Frequency: Sequential or concurrent per geroprotective protocol
Primary benefit: Multi-system age-related decline mitigation (vascular + immune)