Vilon peptide is a synthetic dipeptide bioregulator, composed of amino acids lysine and glutamic acid. Clinical studies showed that Vilon acts as a potent anti-aging bioregulator and immunomodulator – it interacts with various genetic structures, resulting in progressive gene reactivation, proliferation, and differentiation. Studies in senior patients also showed that Vilon has the ability to reactivate certain DNA sections that get normally “silent” with age; by making these genes more active, this peptide boosts cellular rejuvenation, boosts antioxidant defenses, and reactivates DNA repair genes.
Immune Cell Differentiation, Proliferation, and Regulation
In one of the more recent clinical studies (“Bioregulator Vilon-induced reactivation of chromatin in cultured lymphocytes from old people”), researchers showed that Vilon affects structural and facultative heterochromatin of cultured lymphocytes.
The goal of the study was to determine the full effects of Vilon peptide therapy in older patients by analyzing structural heterochromatin (these are the permanently compact DNA sections that are generally never transcribed), and facultative heterochromatin (this is the “switchable” DNA section, which may become active or inactive, depending on the cell’s needs).
What researchers did was extract the lymphocyte cells from elderly people, and subjected them to Vilon therapy in strict laboratory conditions. The results showed that:
- Vilon was able to “unpack” total heterochromatin (structural and facultative in combination)
- Reactivate ribosomal genes which lead to different synthetic processes taking place
- Release repressed genes due to condensation in certain facultative heterochromatin sections
- Most importantly, Vilon did not loosen facultative heterochromatin, opening up the potential of selective, targeted therapy
After analyzing this, and a number of other studies, we can come to the conclusion that Vilon peptide stimulates DNA to reactivate certain genes and basically lead to the progressive facultative heterochromatin activation that goes down as we age.
Immune Cell Proliferation
Vilon studies also showed it stimulates and boosts thymocyte cell production and proliferation. Thymocytes are immature T cells, which develop in the thymus. Of course, T cells being the type of white blood cells playing a crucial role in the effectiveness of our immune system.
How exactly does Vilon work? – Studies showed that Vilon application enlarged thymic lobules, structures responsible for the maturation of T cells, through widening of the cortical layer. And with the increased thymic lobules, a noticeable increase in T cell maturation and proliferation was recorded.
There was another study involving low lymphocyte count due to repeated irradiation, which showed that Vilon peptide not only appeared to normalize lymphocyte numbers, but also boosted the number of granulocytes, as compared to the control group.
Physical Activity, Endurance and Aging
Though we still don’t have conclusive trials involving human test subjects, studies in mice showed that subcutaneous Vilon administration increased their physical activity, endurance, and even reduced the risk of cancer. In combination, these effects prolonged mice’s lives, which lead the researchers to believe Vilon can potentially be labeled as an anti-aging peptide.
Not only did Vilon exhibit its anti-aging properties, it presented itself with virtually no adverse effects, and, what’s more interesting, the earlier it was administered, the greater the effects were. Meaning, it became obvious to researchers that giving Vilon to young mice, enhanced their lifespan more significantly than when it was administered when mice were much older.
Vilon’s beneficial effects extended to GI function as well, showing that this peptide improved the activity in certain enzymes, improved barrier function, reducing the incidence of leaky gut, as well as improving the overall GI health in both younger and older mice. Leading researchers to believe Vilon might become a viable way of improving nutrient extraction later in life, adding to its age-defying effects.
Heart and Cardiovascular Health
The effects of Vilon peptide on cardiovascular health have not yet been studied as extensively as anti aging ones, but we have some preliminary clinical data suggesting a positive effect. We have a limited clinical trial in mice which showed that Vilon peptide therapy affected more than 36 different genes within the heart. Furthermore, when combined with Epithalon, this peptide blend affects an astounding 144 genes within the heart. So, even though we can’t say Vilon peptide improves cardiovascular health, this gene expression is definitely something we need to target in future research.
Not sure if peptides in skincare actually work or are just marketing buzz? Our article peptides for skin care are they worth it separates science from speculation.
References:
- N. A. Gavrisheva, V. V. Malinin, T. P. Ses, K. L. Kozlov, A. V. Panchenko, and A. Y. Titkov, “Effect of peptide Vilon on the content of transforming growth factor-beta and permeability of microvessels during experimental chronic renal failure,”
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (2022). PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7010502, Lysylglutamic acid. Retrieved November 21, 2022 from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Lysylglutamic-acid
- Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN. A synthetic dipeptide vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) inhibits the growth of spontaneous tumors and increases the life span of mice. Dokl Biol Sci. 2000 May-Jun;372:261-3. PMID: 10944717. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10944717/
- Malinin, V. V., & Khavinson, V. K. (2017). Peptide regulation of gene expression in lymphocytes of old patients. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, 163(1), 64–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-017-3731-1
- Shataeva, L. K., Malinin, V. V., & Khavinson, V. K. (2008). Peptide Vilon regulates gene expression and enhances proliferation of human thymocytes. Doklady Biological Sciences, 422(1), 328–331. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0012496608040212
- Khavinson, V. K., & Malinin, V. V. (2005). Gerontological aspects of genome peptide regulation. Biogerontology, 6(6), 323–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10522-005-3233-6
- Barykina OP, Iuzhakov VV, Chalisova NI, Kvetnoĭ IM, Konovalov SS. Sochetannoe vliianie vilona i tsiklofosfana na transplanty opukholeĭ i éksplantaty limfoidnoĭ tkani mysheĭ i krys raznogo vozrasta [Combined effect of vilon and cyclophosphane on tumor transplants and lymphoid tissue explants in mice and rats of various age]. Adv Gerontol. 2003;12:128-31. Russian. PMID: 14743610. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14743610/
- Anisimov SV, Bokheler KR, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN. Studies of the effects of Vilon and Epithalon on gene expression in mouse heart using DNA-microarray technology. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2002 Mar;133(3):293-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12360356/