Vilon
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Synthetic thymic dipeptide (Lys-Glu) bioregulator that modulates immune function via epigenetic chromatin remodeling and thymic support.
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 | Violin (wholesale label), KE dipeptide, Lys-Glu |
| Category | Immune / Anti-Aging / Khavinson Bioregulator |
| Sequence | Lys-Glu (KE, 2 amino acids) |
| Molecular Weight | ~275 Da |
| Molecular Formula | C11H21N3O5 |
| PubChem CID | N/A — research peptide not indexed |
| Administration | SubQ |
| Typical Dose Range | 10-20 mcg/day (from Khavinson protocols) |
| Half-Life | Very short (minutes; typical of dipeptides) |
| 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
Vilon (Lys-Glu) is a synthetic dipeptide originally derived from Thymalin, a thymic extract preparation developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It belongs to the class of ultrashort peptide bioregulators — small peptides (2-4 amino acids) proposed to modulate gene expression by directly interacting with DNA and chromatin structures.
The primary proposed mechanism involves epigenetic regulation through chromatin remodeling. In cultured lymphocytes from elderly donors, Vilon induced reactivation (decondensation) of age-related heterochromatin, potentially making previously silenced genes accessible for transcription (PMID: 15105581). This chromatin decondensation effect is central to the Khavinson bioregulation theory.
Vilon is proposed to support thymic function and T-cell differentiation. In the broader Khavinson framework, thymus-derived short peptides act as endogenous regulators of immune homeostasis, and their depletion with age contributes to immunosenescence. Vilon is positioned as a synthetic replacement for these endogenous signaling peptides.
In animal studies, chronic Vilon administration inhibited spontaneous tumor growth and increased mean lifespan in SHR mice (PMID: 10944717), effects attributed to enhanced immune surveillance. Vilon also partially counteracted radiation-induced aging of the thymus and spleen in rats (PMID: 12096431).
Key Research Areas
- Immune senescence reversal — Vilon's thymic support and T-cell differentiation promotion are the primary focus of Khavinson's research
- Chromatin remodeling — Heterochromatin decondensation in aged cells is the proposed core mechanism
- Anti-tumor activity — Inhibition of spontaneous tumors in mice, attributed to immune surveillance enhancement
- Geroprotection — Lifespan extension in animal models through immune system restoration
Evidence Level Summary
| Evidence Type | Count | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Human RCTs | 0 | No randomized controlled trials |
| Human observational | 0 | No human clinical studies |
| Animal in vivo | 2 | Mouse lifespan/tumor study; rat thymus/spleen radiation model |
| In vitro | 2 | Chromatin reactivation in elderly lymphocytes; THP-1 cell line |
| Systematic reviews | 1 | Khavinson self-review of peptide gene regulation (2021) |
Clinical Applications
- Immune Support — Proposed thymic restoration and T-cell support
- Anti-Aging — Chromatin remodeling and geroprotective effects in animal models
Protocols Using This Peptide
- No established clinical protocols. Used in Khavinson bioregulation research protocols only.
Ageless Peps Products
- APWS-Vilon-Vial — Violin (Vilon) 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 between courses. No independent validation of these cycling parameters exists.
Contraindications & Safety
- Contraindications: Unknown — no systematic safety studies in humans
- Common side effects: Unknown — no human clinical data
- Drug interactions: Unknown — no interaction studies conducted
- Pregnancy/nursing: Contraindicated (no safety data)
- Special populations: No data in any special population
Synergistic Combinations
Per Khavinson protocols (unvalidated):
- Crystagen + Vilon — Combined immune support (thymic + splenic)
- Epitalon + Vilon — Anti-aging + immune restoration
Related Research
| PMID | Title | Year | Study Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10944717 | Vilon Inhibits Spontaneous Tumors and Increases Lifespan in Mice | 2000 | Animal in vivo |
| 15105581 | Vilon-Induced Chromatin Reactivation in Lymphocytes from Old People | 2004 | In vitro |
| 27909961 | Short Peptides Regulate Gene Expression | 2016 | Narrative Review |
| 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 10944717 — Vilon anti-tumor/lifespan study
- PMID 15105581 — Chromatin reactivation in aged lymphocytes
- PMID 12096431 — Radiation aging model
- PMID 27909961 — Short peptides regulate gene expression
- PMID 34834147 — Systematic review of peptide gene regulation
Related
#peptide #immune #anti-aging #khavinson-bioregulator #subq