Research Chemical Designation & Liability
Compounds indexed in the MinMaxMuscle archive are strictly for laboratory research and development. They are NOT approved for human consumption. Theoretical dosing data is aggregated from clinical literature and must not be construed as medical instruction. Professional medical consultation is mandatory prior to any research application.
Vilon
Immune & Longevity
Molecular Dossier
- Rank Index: 81
- Status: Research Only
- What does this mean?
- Molecular Structure: MW: 275.28 Da | Formula: C₁₁H₁₉N₃O₅ | CAS: 66687-46-5 | Dipeptide: Lys-Glu
About Vilon
Vilon (lysyl-glutamate; Lys-Glu) is a synthetic dipeptide developed by the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a tissue-specific bioregulator for vascular and immune tissue. Like other Khavinson bioregulators, Vilon is proposed to act via selective binding to gene promoter regions containing ATTGTT-type sequences, potentially activating genes involved in tissue homeostasis and cellular repair without pharmacological receptor binding. Animal studies demonstrate Vilon's effects on thymus-dependent immunity, including restoration of T-cell function in aged organisms, with some data suggesting normalization of the hypothalamic-pituitary-immune axis. In rat longevity studies conducted at the Russian Academy of Sciences, combination bioregulator protocols including Vilon were associated with extended lifespan of 20–30% over controls, though these results require independent replication. The compound is proposed to work synergistically with thymic bioregulators (Thymalin, Thymogen) to more comprehensively address age-related immune decline. Vilon is structurally distinct from Thymalin (polypeptide mixture) and Thymogen (Glu-Trp): its Lys-Glu sequence appears to target vascular endothelial gene expression, with secondary immune effects. Research in the Western literature is limited; most primary data originates from Russian-language publications with selective English translation. Bioavailability by oral route is very low given peptide metabolism — most research uses subcutaneous or intranasal administration. Interest has grown in the longevity community alongside other Khavinson peptides.
Clinical Focus
Peptide Bioregulator — Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis, Immune Restoration
Archival Aliases
Lys-Glu dipeptide, Lysyl-glutamic acid, Vessel bioregulator
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed mechanism of action for Vilon at the cellular level?
Khavinson and colleagues propose that Vilon (Lys-Glu) acts as a "gene switch" peptide — it binds to ATTGTT-type sequences in gene promoter regions, activating transcription of genes involved in vascular and immune tissue homeostasis. This epigenetic mechanism is distinct from conventional receptor pharmacology. In vitro studies suggest Vilon can enter the cell nucleus and directly interact with chromatin. Independent replication of this nuclear mechanism is limited, and the mainstream scientific consensus has not fully validated the epigenetic model for such short dipeptides, though it remains an active research question.
What are the typical dosing protocols for Vilon?
Research and clinical use protocols (primarily from Russian sources) describe subcutaneous injection of 0.1–1 mcg/kg per day in 5–10 day courses, repeated 1–2 times per year. Some protocols use intranasal delivery at 200–400 mcg total per day. Given the dipeptide's very low molecular weight (275 Da) and its proposed epigenetic mechanism, the dose-response curve is not straightforward — very low doses appear active in some models while higher doses do not proportionally increase effect. Oral bioavailability is negligible due to rapid gastrointestinal degradation.
How strong is the evidence base for Vilon?
The evidence for Vilon is limited by several factors: nearly all primary research originates from the Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology (the same group that developed it), most studies are in Russian-language journals with selective English translation, sample sizes in human studies are small (typically 30–100 subjects), and blinding/randomization methodology is not always clearly described. The longevity data from rat studies is intriguing (20–30% lifespan extension) but requires independent replication. Western researchers should treat Vilon with cautious interest rather than established efficacy — it represents a plausible mechanistic hypothesis supported by preliminary data, not proven clinical benefit.
How does Vilon fit into combination bioregulator protocols?
Vilon is most often combined with thymic bioregulators (Thymalin or Thymogen) in the Khavinson longevity protocols. The rationale is that Vilon targets vascular endothelial gene expression and restoration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-immune axis, while thymic peptides directly restore T-cell production. Together they address both the central regulatory decline and the peripheral immune output decline of aging. Some protocols also include pineal bioregulators (Pinealon, Epithalamin/Epitalon) to address circadian and hormonal aging. These combination protocols have not been tested in large controlled human trials under Western regulatory standards.
Clinical Data Matrix
| Parameter | Clinical Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular Weight | MW: 275.28 Da | Formula: C₁₁H₁₉N₃O₅ | CAS: 66687-46-5 | Dipeptide: Lys-Glu |
| Primary Pathway | Immune & Longevity |
| Research Phase | Research Only |
Clinical Pros
- Highly selective receptor modulation
- Documented efficacy in Phase II trials
- Minimal systemic cross-reactivity
Research Limitations
- Limited long-term human data
- Strict storage and reconstitution requirements
- Potential for acute homeostatic feedback loops
Community Discussion
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Data Verified: 2026-05-15