Livagen
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Synthetic tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Ala-Ser) bioregulator proposed to support liver function via hepatoprotective gene regulation and chromatin decondensation in hepatocytes.
Methodological Note: >95% of published research on this peptide originates from the Khavinson bioregulation group (Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, St. Petersburg). Independent replication by Western laboratories is lacking. All evidence should be interpreted with this single-group limitation in mind.
Quick Facts
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | KEAS tetrapeptide, Lys-Glu-Ala-Ser |
| Category | Metabolic / Hepatoprotective / Khavinson Bioregulator |
| Sequence | Lys-Glu-Ala-Ser (KEAS, 4 amino acids) |
| Molecular Weight | ~433 Da |
| Molecular Formula | C16H30N4O8 |
| PubChem CID | N/A — research peptide |
| Administration | SubQ |
| Typical Dose Range | 10-20 mcg/day (from Khavinson protocols) |
| Half-Life | Very short (minutes; typical of tetrapeptides) |
| Storage | Lyophilized: -20C long-term; 2-8C short-term. Reconstituted: 2-8C for 2-4 weeks |
| FDA Status | NOT FDA-approved. Approved in Russia as bioregulator; no Western regulatory approval |
| WADA Status | Prohibited under S0 (non-approved substances) |
Mechanism of Action
Livagen (Lys-Glu-Ala-Ser) is a synthetic tetrapeptide developed by the Khavinson group, derived from the amino acid analysis of hepatic tissue extracts. It is proposed to support liver function through hepatoprotective gene regulation.
The core mechanistic evidence for Livagen comes from chromatin studies. Livagen caused de-heterochromatinization (activation) of chromatin in lymphocytes from elderly donors, and was found to be more potent than the dipeptide Vilon in this assay (PMID: 12533768). This chromatin remodeling effect is the foundation of the Khavinson bioregulation theory.
Livagen has also been shown to penetrate cell nuclei and interact with DNA in HeLa cells using fluorescence-labeled peptide tracking (PMID: 22117547), supporting the proposed mechanism of direct peptide-DNA interaction.
Additional studies showed that Livagen affected digestive enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract and non-digestive organs of rats at different ages (PMID: 16075683), and inhibited enkephalin-degrading enzymes in human serum more effectively than established peptidase inhibitors (PMID: 12942748).
Key Research Areas
- Chromatin remodeling — Potent chromatin decondensation in aged lymphocytes
- Nuclear penetration — Demonstrated cell and nuclear membrane penetration
- Digestive enzyme regulation — Effects on GI enzyme activity in rats
- Enkephalin metabolism — Inhibition of enkephalin-degrading enzymes
Evidence Level Summary
| Evidence Type | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Human RCTs | 0 | No randomized controlled trials |
| Human observational | 0 | No human clinical studies |
| Animal in vivo | 1 | Digestive enzyme effects in rats |
| In vitro | 3 | Chromatin activation; nuclear penetration; THP-1 cell study |
| Systematic reviews | 1 | Khavinson self-review (2021) |
Clinical Applications
- NAFLD — Proposed hepatoprotective support (no clinical evidence)
- Anti-Aging — Chromatin remodeling and liver function restoration (preclinical only)
Protocols Using This Peptide
- No established clinical protocols. Used in Khavinson bioregulation research protocols only.
Ageless Peps Products
- APWS-Livagen-Vial — Livagen Vial, wholesale only
Dosing Reference
Research Dosing Ranges (from literature)
| Route | Dose Range | Frequency | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SubQ | 10-20 mcg | Daily | 10-20 days | Khavinson protocols |
Cycling
Khavinson protocols typically recommend 10-20 day treatment courses with 1-3 month intervals. No independent validation exists.
Contraindications & Safety
- Contraindications: Unknown — no systematic safety studies
- Common side effects: Unknown — no human clinical data
- Drug interactions: Theoretical interaction with opioid metabolism via enkephalin pathway (unconfirmed)
- Pregnancy/nursing: Contraindicated (no safety data)
- Special populations: No data available. Particular caution warranted in patients with hepatic impairment (no safety data in this population)
Synergistic Combinations
Per Khavinson protocols (unvalidated):
- Vilon + Livagen — Immune + hepatoprotective support
- Pancragen + Livagen — Combined metabolic organ support
Related Research
| PMID | Title | Year | Study Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12533768 | Livagen Effects on Chromatin Activation in Old People Lymphocytes | 2002 | In vitro |
| 22117547 | Short Peptides Nuclear Penetration and DNA Interaction | 2011 | In vitro |
| 34834147 | Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review | 2021 | Systematic Review |
| 35408963 | Peptides Regulating Proliferative Activity in THP-1 Cell Line | 2022 | In vitro |
References
- PMID 12533768 — Chromatin activation in elderly lymphocytes
- PMID 16075683 — Digestive enzyme effects in rats
- PMID 12942748 — Enkephalin-degrading enzyme inhibition
- PMID 22117547 — Nuclear penetration and DNA interaction
- PMID 34834147 — Systematic review of peptide gene regulation
Related
#peptide #metabolic #khavinson-bioregulator #subq