SLU-PP-332 Guide: The Exercise Mimetic Compound (+ Why BAC Water Destroys It)
Complete SLU-PP-332 guide with PMID studies. Learn why this ERR agonist mimics exercise, proper DMSO reconstitution (never BAC water), dosing protocols & benefits.
SLU-PP-332 is generating serious buzz in the biohacking and athletic performance communities—and for good reason. This synthetic compound has been shown in peer-reviewed research to activate the same genetic pathways triggered by aerobic exercise, earning it the nickname "exercise in a bottle."
But here's the problem: most people are reconstituting it wrong, essentially destroying the compound before it ever has a chance to work.
⚠️ Critical Warning
SLU-PP-332 is NOT a peptide. It's a small molecule compound that is insoluble in water. If you're using bacteriostatic water (BAC water), you're creating a useless, cloudy solution where the compound precipitates out and becomes non-bioavailable. Keep reading to learn the proper reconstitution method.
What is SLU-PP-332?
SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic pan-ERR agonist—meaning it activates all three subtypes of Estrogen-Related Receptors (ERRα, ERRβ, and ERRγ). Despite the name, these receptors have nothing to do with estrogen. Instead, they're master regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis and energy metabolism.
🧬 Quick Facts
- Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₁₄N₂O₂
- Molecular Weight: 290.32 g/mol
- CAS Number: 303760-60-3
- Classification: Small Molecule (NOT a peptide)
- Primary Target: ERRα (EC₅₀ = 98 nM)
- Secondary Targets: ERRβ (230 nM), ERRγ (430 nM)
What makes SLU-PP-332 unique is that it activates the same transcriptional programs that are normally triggered by physical exercise—specifically, the genes involved in building new mitochondria and shifting your metabolism toward fat burning.
How SLU-PP-332 Works: The ERR Pathway
When you perform aerobic exercise, your muscles activate ERR receptors, which then upregulate PGC-1α—the "master regulator" of mitochondrial biogenesis. This triggers a cascade of effects:
- Mitochondrial biogenesis — Your cells build more mitochondria (the powerhouses)
- Enhanced fatty acid oxidation — Metabolism shifts toward burning fat for fuel
- Increased oxidative capacity — Muscles become more endurance-oriented
- Improved insulin sensitivity — Better glucose handling
SLU-PP-332 bypasses the need for exercise by directly activating ERRα, triggering this same genetic program pharmacologically.
💡 Key Insight
In published studies, mice treated with SLU-PP-332 showed increased running endurance, grip strength, and oxidative muscle fiber content—without any exercise training. Their muscles literally transformed into a more endurance-oriented phenotype.
Research-Backed Benefits of SLU-PP-332
Based on peer-reviewed publications (PMID citations provided below), here are the documented effects in animal models:
1. Increased Energy Expenditure
SLU-PP-332 significantly increased resting energy expenditure in both diet-induced obese mice and ob/ob mice (a genetic model of obesity). This means more calories burned at rest.
2. Enhanced Fatty Acid Oxidation
The compound shifts metabolism toward using fat as the primary fuel source. In research, this was measured through increased expression of genes like PDK4 and fatty acid oxidation enzymes.
3. Improved Exercise Endurance
Mice treated with SLU-PP-332 (50 mg/kg twice daily) showed increased running distance, running time, and grip strength compared to vehicle-treated controls.
4. Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Electron microscopy revealed increased mitochondrial content in muscle tissue. Additionally, researchers found elevated levels of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and cytochrome C—direct markers of new mitochondria.
5. Oxidative Muscle Fiber Conversion
SLU-PP-332 increased the proportion of Type IIa (fast oxidative) muscle fibers and decreased fiber diameter—both hallmarks of endurance-adapted muscle.
6. Cardioprotective Effects
In heart failure models, ERR agonists including SLU-PP-332 improved cardiac ejection fraction, reduced fibrosis, and increased survival.
⚠️ Reconstitution: Why BAC Water Destroys SLU-PP-332
This is where most people go wrong. They treat SLU-PP-332 like a peptide and try to reconstitute it with bacteriostatic water. This does not work.
❌ BAC Water
Result: Cloudy, precipitated solution
Problem: SLU-PP-332 is hydrophobic and essentially insoluble in water
Outcome: Compound is NOT bioavailable—you're injecting useless particles
✅ DMSO
Result: Clear, fully dissolved solution
Solubility: Up to 100 mM (58 mg/mL)
Outcome: Compound is fully dissolved and bioavailable
The key difference is chemistry. SLU-PP-332 is a small molecule with a hydrophobic structure. Unlike peptides (which are water-soluble chains of amino acids), this compound will not dissolve in aqueous solutions.
When users report "cloudiness" or "particles floating" after adding BAC water, those particles ARE the SLU-PP-332—just sitting there undissolved and unable to be absorbed.
Proper DMSO Reconstitution Protocol
Based on published research protocols and chemical supplier recommendations:
📋 Step-by-Step Protocol
- Calculate your concentration: SLU-PP-332 is soluble up to 100 mM in DMSO. For a 5mg vial, adding 0.5 mL DMSO gives approximately 34 mM.
- Add DMSO slowly: Inject DMSO down the side of the vial to avoid splashing.
- Dissolve completely: Gently swirl or vortex until solution is clear with no visible particles.
- For further dilution: If needed, use the research vehicle: 10% DMSO, 10% Tween-80, 80% PBS.
- Storage: Aliquot and store at -20°C. Stable for ~3 months.
⚡ Important Notes
- Keep final DMSO concentration ≤1% for any in vivo application to avoid cytotoxicity
- DMSO penetrates skin—always handle with gloves
- Published studies used intraperitoneal (IP) injection—subcutaneous route is not validated
Peer-Reviewed Studies (PMID Citations)
Unlike many compounds in the biohacking space, SLU-PP-332 has legitimate published research. Here are the key studies:
PMID: 36745020
"Synthetic ERRα/β/γ Agonist Induces an ERRα-Dependent Acute Aerobic Exercise Response and Enhances Exercise Capacity"
Journal: ACS Chemical Biology, 2023
Key Finding: SLU-PP-332 increased mitochondrial respiration, oxidative muscle fibers (Type IIa), mtDNA, cytochrome C, running distance, running time, and grip strength in mice via ERRα-specific mechanisms.
Key Finding: SLU-PP-332 increased mitochondrial respiration, oxidative muscle fibers (Type IIa), mtDNA, cytochrome C, running distance, running time, and grip strength in mice via ERRα-specific mechanisms.
PMID: 38234222
"A Synthetic ERR Agonist Alleviates Metabolic Syndrome"
Journal: Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2024
Key Finding: In diet-induced obese and ob/ob mice, SLU-PP-332 increased energy expenditure, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, improved glucose tolerance, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased fat mass.
Key Finding: In diet-induced obese and ob/ob mice, SLU-PP-332 increased energy expenditure, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, improved glucose tolerance, improved insulin sensitivity, and decreased fat mass.
PMID: 37961903
"Novel Pan-ERR Agonists Ameliorate Heart Failure Through Enhancing Cardiac Fatty Acid Metabolism and Mitochondrial Function"
Journal: Circulation, 2024
Key Finding: SLU-PP-332 significantly improved ejection fraction, ameliorated fibrosis, and increased survival in pressure overload-induced heart failure models. Effects were mediated primarily through ERRγ.
Key Finding: SLU-PP-332 significantly improved ejection fraction, ameliorated fibrosis, and increased survival in pressure overload-induced heart failure models. Effects were mediated primarily through ERRγ.
Dosing from Research Studies
All published efficacy data comes from mouse models using the following parameters:
- Dose range: 25-50 mg/kg body weight
- Frequency: Twice daily (BID)
- Route: Intraperitoneal (IP) injection
- Duration: 10 days to 8 weeks depending on study
- Vehicle: 10% Tween-80, 10% DMSO, 80% PBS
📊 Research Limitations
No human trials exist. All data is from cell cultures and mouse models. Subcutaneous administration has not been validated—the compound was studied exclusively via IP injection. Translation of mouse doses to humans is complex and speculative.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SLU-PP-332?
SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic pan-ERR (Estrogen-Related Receptor) agonist that activates the same genetic pathways as aerobic exercise. It targets ERRα with an EC₅₀ of 98nM, triggering mitochondrial biogenesis and enhanced energy metabolism. It's classified as a small molecule compound, not a peptide.
Can I reconstitute SLU-PP-332 with bacteriostatic water?
No. SLU-PP-332 is hydrophobic and insoluble in water. Using BAC water results in a cloudy, precipitated solution where the compound is not bioavailable. You must use DMSO for proper dissolution—it's soluble up to 100mM in DMSO.
What is the proper way to reconstitute SLU-PP-332?
Dissolve SLU-PP-332 in DMSO first to create a concentrated stock solution (10-50mM works well). For in vivo research use, the published vehicle is 10% DMSO, 10% Tween-80, and 80% PBS. Keep final DMSO concentration at or below 1% to minimize tissue irritation.
What are the research-backed benefits of SLU-PP-332?
Peer-reviewed studies (PMID: 36745020, 38234222, 37961903) document these effects in mouse models: increased energy expenditure, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, improved exercise endurance, mitochondrial biogenesis, conversion toward oxidative muscle fibers, improved insulin sensitivity, and cardioprotective effects in heart failure models.
Is SLU-PP-332 a peptide?
No. Despite being marketed alongside peptides by some vendors, SLU-PP-332 is a small molecule compound with the chemical formula C₁₈H₁₄N₂O₂ and molecular weight of 290.32. This is why it requires DMSO for reconstitution rather than bacteriostatic water—it's chemically incompatible with aqueous solutions.
What dosing was used in SLU-PP-332 research?
Published mouse studies used 25-50 mg/kg administered twice daily via intraperitoneal (IP) injection for durations of 10 days to 8 weeks. Subcutaneous administration has not been validated in any published research. Human dosing has not been established.
Has SLU-PP-332 been tested in humans?
No. As of early 2025, all SLU-PP-332 research has been conducted in cell cultures (in vitro) and mouse models (in vivo). No human clinical trials have been completed or published. It remains strictly a research compound.
How should I store SLU-PP-332?
Store lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder at -20°C in dry, dark conditions to minimize moisture exposure. Reconstituted DMSO solutions should also be stored at -20°C and are stable for approximately 3 months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles by aliquoting into smaller vials.
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Subscribe Free →Disclaimer: This article is for educational and informational purposes only. SLU-PP-332 is a research compound that has not been approved for human use by the FDA or any regulatory agency. All information presented is based on published preclinical research and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before considering any research compounds.