Source comparison
SS-31 vs. Other Mitochondrial-Targeted Compounds: Performance Comparison
SS-31 (Elamipretide) Cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation Phase 2 trials in heart failure, mitochondrial myopathy (23–31% ATP improvement) 5–40 mg SC daily or 3×/week High. Selectively accumulates in inner mitochondrial membrane Most direct mitochondrial
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- SS-31 (Elamipretide)
- Cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation
- Phase 2 trials in heart failure, mitochondrial myopathy (23–31% ATP improvement)
- 5–40 mg SC daily or 3×/week
- High. Selectively accumulates in inner mitochondrial membrane
- Most direct mitochondrial protection mechanism; limited athletic performance data but strong mechanistic rationale
- Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinone)
- Electron carrier in respiratory chain, ROS scavenger
- Mixed results in endurance trials; modest VO₂ max improvements (2–4%) in untrained subjects only
- 100–300 mg daily oral
- Moderate. Concentrates in mitochondria but also acts systemically
- Well-tolerated, inexpensive; benefits plateau in trained athletes; unlikely to move performance ceiling
- MitoQ (Mitoquinone)
- Ubiquinone linked to TPP⁺ cation for mitochondrial targeting
- Phase 2 trials in metabolic syndrome, vascular function; no athletic performance trials
- 10–20 mg daily oral
- High. TPP⁺ drives accumulation at mitochondrial membrane
- Better mitochondrial targeting than CoQ10; evidence limited to vascular function improvements; no endurance-specific data
- Nicotinamide Riboside (NR)
- NAD⁺ precursor, AMPK/SIRT1 activation, mitochondrial biogenesis
- Small endurance trials show no VO₂ max improvement; may improve recovery markers
- 500–1000 mg daily oral
- Indirect. Supports mitochondrial biogenesis but doesn't protect existing organelles
- Mechanism overlaps with training adaptations; redundant in high-volume athletes; no performance gains demonstrated
- MOTS-c
- Mitochondrial-derived peptide, metabolic signaling
- Preclinical only (rodent models); no human trials
- 5–10 mg SC 2–3×/week
- Indirect. Signals metabolic shifts; doesn't directly protect mitochondria
- Promising preclinical data but zero human validation; mechanism distinct from SS-31 (signaling vs. structural protection)