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ToolsCompareSS-31 (Elamipretide) vs Follistatin 315

SS-31 (Elamipretide) vs Follistatin 315

Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.

Anti-Aging & Longevity
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Anabolic & IGF
Follistatin 315
Summary
SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a synthetic mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and protects cardiolipin from oxidative damage. It is one of the most promising mitochondrial longevity compounds, studied in clinical trials for heart failure, renal disease, and age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction.
Follistatin 315 is a splice variant isoform of follistatin produced by alternative mRNA processing. Unlike Follistatin 344 which is tethered to cell surfaces via heparan sulfate proteoglycans, FST-315 circulates freely in the bloodstream and has broader systemic distribution. It is the predominant circulating form and exerts systemic myostatin inhibition as well as FSH suppression, making it relevant to both muscle growth and reproductive endocrinology.
Half-Life
~2–5 hours
~3–5 hours (longer systemic circulation vs FST-344)
Admin Route
SubQ
SubQ, IM
Research
Typical Dose
5–10 mg
No established human dosing protocol
Frequency
Daily to several times per week
Research use only
Key Benefits
  • Restores mitochondrial function and ATP production
  • Protects inner mitochondrial membrane cardiolipin
  • Reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS)
  • Improves exercise capacity and reduces fatigue
  • Cardioprotective — studied in heart failure trials
  • Renoprotective — reduces ischemic kidney injury
  • Anti-aging via mitochondrial preservation
  • Potential in neurodegenerative disease prevention
  • Systemic myostatin inhibition for whole-body muscle growth
  • Freely circulating — broader tissue distribution than FST-344
  • Strong FSH-suppressive activity useful in certain hormonal protocols
  • Potential for greater anabolic effect across multiple muscle groups simultaneously
  • May be more relevant to reproductive endocrinology applications
  • Studied in gene therapy approaches for muscular dystrophy
Side Effects
  • Injection site irritation
  • Nausea (rare)
  • Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials
  • Systemic FSH suppression — significant concern for fertility
  • Greater potential for off-target effects vs FST-344 due to systemic distribution
  • Limited human safety data
  • Potential cardiac hypertrophy with prolonged high-dose exposure
Stacks With