SLU-PP-332
pan-ERR agonist · exercise mimetic
Boosted endurance and oxidative metabolism in mice as an 'exercise mimetic' (preclinical)
Overview
SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic small molecule (not a peptide) that activates all three estrogen-related receptors — ERRα, ERRβ, and ERRγ — with the greatest potency at ERRα. The estrogen-related receptors are transcription factors that govern mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative (fat- and carbohydrate-burning) metabolism, the same gene programs that endurance exercise turns on. Activating them pharmacologically is the basis for calling SLU-PP-332 an 'exercise mimetic.' It was developed by the Burris and Elgendy laboratories at Saint Louis University as a benzohydrazide-class tool compound.
In mice, SLU-PP-332 reproduced parts of the acute endurance-exercise response: it increased type IIa oxidative muscle fibers, enhanced running capacity, and improved features of metabolic syndrome, with the exercise-like effects depending on ERRα. Reported pharmacology shows preferential ERRα activation (EC50 ≈ 98 nM), measurable plasma and muscle exposure several hours after intraperitoneal dosing, and only moderate metabolic stability (microsomal half-life around 31 minutes in vitro), which has driven medicinal-chemistry work on improved analogs.
Crucially, there are no human studies of SLU-PP-332, and no human dose has been established. The animal work used intraperitoneal injection at roughly 25–50 mg/kg once or twice daily — not a regimen that translates directly to people. Any reconstitution figures shown here are illustrative for laboratory handling only. This entry is therefore rated at 'community' confidence and is strictly an educational research reference.
Key parameters
- Dose range
- No established human dose (animal studies: ~25–50 mg/kg)
- Frequency
- Varies (research; once or twice daily in animals)
- Half-life
- Short — microsomal t½ ~31 minutes in vitro; not characterized in humans
- Route
- Subcutaneous (research; injected intraperitoneally in animal studies)
- Vial sizes
- 10 mg
- Regulatory status
- Research chemical, not an approved drug. A synthetic pan-agonist of the estrogen-related receptors (ERRα/β/γ) developed at Saint Louis University. Evidence is entirely preclinical (rodent/cell); there are no human trials. For laboratory research use only.
Mechanism of action
ERRα agonism
Preferentially activates estrogen-related receptor alpha, the isoform most tied to mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative metabolism in muscle; the exercise-mimetic effects in mice were ERRα-dependent.
ERRβ / ERRγ agonism
Also activates the beta and gamma ERR isoforms, broadening its effect on oxidative-metabolism gene programs across tissues.
Mitochondrial biogenesis / oxidative metabolism
Downstream, ERR activation upregulates genes for mitochondrial function and fat/glucose oxidation, increasing oxidative muscle fiber content and endurance capacity in animal models without actual exercise.
Dosing protocol & phases
| Phase | Weeks | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preclinical (animal) | N/A | ~25–50 mg/kg intraperitoneal, once or twice daily (mice) | Animal-study dosing only; there is no validated human protocol and these doses do not translate to people. |
Reconstitution guide
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.
10 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water
Concentration5,000 mcg/mL · 5 mg/mL
| Target dose | Draw volume | U-100 units |
|---|---|---|
| 500 mcg | 0.1 mL | 10 |
| 1,000 mcg | 0.2 mL | 20 |
Illustrative laboratory reconstitution only — no human dose is established, so these rows do not represent a recommended regimen.
Reconstitution calculator
Pre-filled with SLU-PP-332's vial sizes. Adjust the water volume and target dose to see the exact draw, with warnings for doses that are hard to measure or won't fit a syringe.
At 5,000 micrograms per millilitre, a 500 microgram dose is 0.1 millilitres, or 10 units on a U-100 syringe, giving 20 doses per vial.
Supplies needed
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from supplier links, at no extra cost to you. For research and educational use only.
Recommended supply
SLU-PP-332 — research vial
From our verified partner Dynotides, with a third-party certificate of analysis per batch.
Injection supplies
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Bacteriostatic water
Diluent for reconstituting lyophilized vials.
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Insulin syringes (U-100)
0.3–0.5 mL, 29–31 G for accurate small draws.
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Alcohol prep pads
Sterile swabs for the vial stopper and site.
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Sharps container
Safe disposal of used needles.
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Storage fridge
Keeps reconstituted vials at 2–8 °C.
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Insulated travel case
Cooled, TSA-friendly case for travel.
Missed-dose guidance
Not established — SLU-PP-332 is a preclinical research compound with no human dosing protocol and no clinical guidance.
Side effects & safety
| Category | Effect | Trial incidence |
|---|---|---|
| General | Human safety entirely uncharacterizedNo human exposure data exist; this is the principal limitation. | — |
| Pharmacokinetic | Rapid metabolism / short exposureLow microsomal stability (in-vitro half-life ~31 minutes) means exposure is brief, complicating any practical dosing. | — |
| Theoretical | Broad transcriptional effects via ERR activationBecause ERRs regulate metabolism across many tissues, off-target metabolic effects are a theoretical concern with no human data to assess them. | — |
Clinical trials & evidence
ERR agonist alleviates metabolic syndrome (mouse)
Preclinical (animal)Varies · Mouse models of metabolic syndrome
Improved metabolic parameters and oxidative metabolism; no human data.
Trial identifier needs verification
Acute aerobic-exercise response / endurance (mouse)
Preclinical (animal)Varies · Mice
Increased type IIa oxidative fibers and running capacity via an ERRα-dependent program.
Trial identifier needs verification
Storage & handling
- Lyophilized
- Store the powder cold and dry, protected from light, per supplier handling guidance.
- Reconstituted
- Refrigerate any prepared solution and protect from light; solution stability is not well characterized for this research compound.
Comparisons
| Vs. | Target | Half-life | Dosing | Efficacy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5-Amino-1MQ | Pan-ERR nuclear-receptor agonist vs NNMT enzyme inhibitor | Very short vs hours (both preclinical) | Animal IP only vs 50–150 mg daily oral (community) | Endurance/oxidative effects in mice vs adipocyte effects in mice | Neither approved |
| MOTS-c | ERR transcription factors vs mitochondrial-derived peptide | Very short vs short | Animal IP vs injected | Both preclinical exercise/metabolism research tools | Neither approved |
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
What is an 'exercise mimetic'?
It is a compound that switches on some of the same metabolic gene programs as physical exercise — here, the mitochondrial and oxidative-metabolism genes controlled by the estrogen-related receptors. In mice SLU-PP-332 increased endurance and oxidative muscle fibers without the animals actually training, but this has not been shown in humans.
Is SLU-PP-332 a peptide?
No. It is a small-molecule ERR agonist, included in the metabolic category because it is frequently grouped with metabolic research compounds. It is not a peptide hormone.
Is it safe or proven in people?
No. All evidence is preclinical, there is no established human dose, and its safety in humans is unknown. The animal dosing used injection at milligram-per-kilogram levels that do not translate directly to human use, which is why this entry is rated 'community' confidence with no human figures asserted.
Related protocols
5-Amino-1MQ
5-amino-1-methylquinolinium
NNMT inhibitor that reversed diet-induced obesity in mice; no human trials
MOTS-c
Mitochondrial-derived peptide
Mitochondrial-derived peptide regulating metabolic homeostasis (preclinical)
Looking to match this protocol to a verified research vial? Our partner supplier publishes a certificate of analysis per batch.
For educational and research reference only. Not intended for human consumption, not medical advice. Compounds discussed are sold and used for laboratory research purposes only.