Longevity Foundations

Why these are studied together

NAD+ and SS-31 are researched together because each has been studied at a different point in mitochondrial energy production. NAD+ acts as an electron carrier in the reactions that release energy from nutrients and serves as a required substrate for sirtuins, enzymes studied for metabolic regulation and cellular maintenance. SS-31, also known as elamipretide, is described as concentrating in the inner mitochondrial membrane and binding cardiolipin, with research exploring electron-transport efficiency and oxidative stress. Pairing a redox cofactor with a membrane-targeted peptide allows study of both substrate supply and membrane structure in aging models. Human safety data for subcutaneous NAD+ remain limited, and much SS-31 mechanistic evidence comes from animal and cell studies.