A lab-made peptide that targets the cell's tiny power plants (mitochondria) to restore lost energy output and reduce harmful byproducts. Its strongest proof comes from a rare inherited energy disorder; for healthy aging the evidence is thin and unproven. Daily injection, high cost, and a large unregulated market are real hurdles — a promising but still-experimental longevity tool. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Resting lactate | ~0.5–1.5 mmol/L | Elevated lactate can signal impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism |
| Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) | >90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Confirms kidney function before/during use of an under-studied drug |
| Creatine kinase (CK) | ~40–150 U/L (sex-dependent) | Marker of muscle-cell stress relevant to a muscle-targeted therapy |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) | <1.0 mg/L | Systemic inflammation tracks with mitochondrial and vascular stress |
| Fasting glucose / HbA1c | <90 mg/dL / <5.4% | Metabolic context, since mitochondrial function and glucose handling are linked |
| MLCL:CL ratio (specialized) | Low / near-zero | Direct readout of abnormal cardiolipin remodeling and target engagement |
| VO₂max or functional capacity | Age/sex-adjusted high percentile | Whole-body measure of mitochondrial and cardiorespiratory fitness |
Cadence: Baseline before starting, then ~4–8 weeks after starting, then every 3–6 months if continued