Also known as: KE dipeptide, Lys-Glu, L-lysyl-L-glutamic acid
Geroprotective and immunomodulatory research
Amount
Not established for humans (preclinical only)
Frequency
Chronic administration in animal models
Duration
Long-term in mouse lifespan studies
Route
SCSchedule
Chronic subcutaneous injection in preclinical models
Timing
All dosing is from preclinical mouse studies. No human pharmacokinetic data exists. Oral capsule formulations marketed in Russia lack clinical validation.
Duration
Long-term (preclinical lifespan studies)
Repeatable
Yes
CBC with differential
When: Baseline
Why: Baseline immune cell counts for immunomodulatory assessment
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
When: Baseline
Why: Liver and kidney function baseline
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Vilon (L-lysyl-L-glutamic acid, abbreviated KE) is a synthetic dipeptide consisting of just two amino acids: lysine and glutamic acid. It was developed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology in Russia as part of a broader research program investigating tissue-specific peptide bioregulators.
The concept underlying vilon is that endogenous tissues produce specific short peptides that regulate gene expression and maintain cellular homeostasis. According to this theory, the thymus produces regulatory dipeptides including the KE sequence, and supplementation with synthetic vilon can restore age-related declines in thymic function and immune regulation.
Vilon has a molecular weight of approximately 275 Da, making it one of the smallest bioactive peptides studied. Its small size raises the possibility of oral bioavailability, and capsule formulations have been marketed in Russia.
The most studied mechanism of vilon is its proposed effect on chromatin structure. In cell cultures from aged donors, vilon has been reported to induce deheterochromatinization, the unrolling of condensed heterochromatin regions that accumulate during aging. This process may reactivate genes silenced by age-related chromatin condensation.
In human embryonic mesenchymal stem cells, vilon was reported to regulate the expression of genes including IGF1, FOXO1, TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase), TNKS2, and NFkB. These genes are involved in growth factor signaling, longevity pathways, telomere maintenance, and inflammatory regulation.
Vilon has been studied for effects on thymic cell cultures, where it reportedly promoted immune cell differentiation and modulated the balance between various lymphocyte subsets. The specific receptor or signaling pathway mediating these effects has not been identified.
In mouse studies, chronic vilon administration was associated with increased lifespan, reduced spontaneous tumor incidence, and improved physical parameters (increased activity and endurance) without adverse effects on development or estrous function.
Vilon research has been published primarily by the Khavinson group over approximately two decades. Key study categories include:
Several significant limitations apply to vilon research:
A synthetic dipeptide vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) inhibits growth of spontaneous tumors and increases life span of mice, published in Doklady Biological Sciences (Khavinson VKh and Anisimov VN, 2000; PMID: 10944717):
Chronic subcutaneous vilon administration to female CBA mice from 6 months of age inhibited spontaneous tumor growth and extended lifespan. No adverse effects on development or reproductive function were observed.
Effect of vilon on biological age and lifespan in mice, published in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (Khavinson VKh and Anisimov VN, 2000; PMID: 11140587):
Subcutaneous vilon administration to female CBA mice from 6 months of age increased physical activity and endurance, decreased body temperature, prolonged lifespan, and prevented spontaneous neoplasm development. No effect on estrous function or free radical processes.
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This website is for educational and informational purposes only. The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.
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