Immune System Enhancement and Thymic Function
Vilon demonstrates significant immunomodulatory effects through multiple mechanisms of action on immune cell populations. Research published in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine shows Vilon stimulates the expression of lymphocyte differentiation marker CD5 in thymic cells and induces T-cell precursor differentiation toward CD4+ T-helper cells. The peptide enhances thymic function by regulating gene expression associated with immune cell maturation, with histological analyses revealing Vilon treatment leads to enlargement of thymic lobules through widening of the cortical layer—the primary site of T-cell development.
Studies demonstrate Vilon increases expression of activation markers including HLA-DR and CD54 in thymic cell cultures while normalizing lymphocyte blast-transformation responses crucial for proper immune function. In experimental models exposed to γ-irradiation and mercury exposure—conditions that severely suppress immune function—Vilon administration promoted recovery of immune parameters, normalized lymphocyte counts, and increased granulocyte production compared to control groups. These protective effects extended to reducing apoptosis in splenic lymphocytes and normalizing immune cell populations over 15-month observation periods.
Research in elderly patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus shows Vilon treatment stabilized immune parameters, reducing T-helper and NK cell populations while normalizing levels of active T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and IgA. This stabilizing effect demonstrates Vilon's capacity to restore immune homeostasis rather than simply stimulating immune function, making it valuable for age-related immune dysregulation.
Vilon's effects on interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression represent a key mechanism for immune enhancement. Studies published in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine demonstrate Vilon stimulates IL-2 gene expression in splenocytes—a critical cytokine for T-cell activation, proliferation, and regulatory function. This upregulation of IL-2 signaling enhances the immune system's capacity to respond to microbial infection while maintaining appropriate regulation to prevent autoimmune reactions.
Sources:
- Sevostianova NN, et al. "Immunomodulating effects of Vilon and its analogue in the culture of human and animal thymus cells." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2013;154(4):562-565. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23486604/
- Kazakova TB, et al. "In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2002;133(6):614-616. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12447482/
- Kuznik BI, et al. "Effect of vilon on the immunity status and coagulation hemostasis in patients of different age with diabetes mellitus." Advances in Gerontology. 2008;21(1):99-103. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18306698/
Aging, Longevity, and Chromatin Remodeling
Vilon demonstrates profound anti-aging effects through epigenetic mechanisms that reverse age-related chromatin condensation. Research published in Biogerontology examining lymphocytes from elderly donors (aged 75-88 years) reveals that Vilon treatment induces unrolling (deheterochromatinization) of total heterochromatin, activates synthetic processes through reactivation of ribosomal genes, and releases genes repressed due to condensation of euchromatic regions. The peptide specifically targets facultative heterochromatin—the "switchable" DNA regions that become progressively silenced with age—without affecting structural heterochromatin regions that remain permanently compacted.
Differential scanning microcalorimetry studies demonstrate Vilon increases the proportion of euchromatin (transcriptionally active chromatin) while decreasing heterochromatin in aging cell models, effectively restoring chromatin organization patterns toward more youthful states. This chromatin remodeling reactivates genes essential for protein synthesis, cellular repair, stress response, and metabolic homeostasis that become silenced during aging.
Lifespan studies published in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine show subcutaneous administration of Vilon to female CBA mice starting from 6 months of age significantly increased physical activity and endurance, decreased body temperature, prolonged lifespan, and prevented development of spontaneous neoplasms. The number of mice surviving to 23 months was 2.6 times higher in Vilon-treated groups compared to controls, with maximal lifespan increased by two months. Long-term Vilon administration caused no unfavorable effects on animal development, demonstrating safety of chronic use for geroprotection and age-related disease prevention.
Research indicates earlier initiation of Vilon treatment produces greater lifespan extension, suggesting the peptide's geroprotective mechanisms work most effectively when implemented before extensive age-related damage accumulates. Studies in International Journal of Molecular Sciences demonstrate Vilon modulates proliferative patterns by increasing tyrosine phosphorylation of ERK1/2, a MAP kinase activated during mitogenic processes, suggesting the peptide influences transcriptional and translational regulation of cellular signaling molecules critical for maintaining youthful cellular function.
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Tumor Inhibition and Cancer Prevention
Vilon demonstrates significant anti-tumor activity through multiple mechanisms including immune system stimulation, apoptosis inhibition in normal tissues, and direct effects on tumor cell proliferation. Research published in Doklady Biological Sciences shows that Vilon treatment in mice inhibited growth of spontaneous tumors and increased lifespan. In studies examining tumor development, Vilon-treated mice showed dramatic reductions in tumor incidence—tumor cell formation occurred in only 14.3% of Vilon-treated animals compared to 29.7% in control groups.
Specific tumor types showing reduced incidence with Vilon treatment include lung adenomas and mammary carcinomas, two of the most common spontaneous tumor types in aging mice. The peptide's anti-tumor mechanisms appear to involve both direct effects on cellular proliferation and indirect effects through immune system enhancement and regulation of genes involved in cell cycle control and apoptosis.
Research demonstrates Vilon's ability to inhibit tumor development when combined with chemotherapeutic agents. Studies show Vilon stimulated apoptosis in both young and aging tissues, but importantly, the inhibitory effects of cyclophosphamide (a chemotherapy drug) were modulated in the presence of Vilon, suggesting potential for combination approaches in cancer prevention strategies. The peptide's effects on preventing age-related tumor development correlate strongly with its restoration of immune system function, particularly T-lymphocyte activity as measured by phytohemagglutinin-induced blast transformation.
Long-term safety studies spanning multiple years demonstrate Vilon's tumor-preventive effects occur without toxicity or adverse developmental effects, making it a promising candidate for long-term cancer prevention protocols. The peptide's geroprotective properties and tumor inhibition appear intrinsically linked, as both effects stem from restoration of age-compromised regulatory mechanisms at the genetic and cellular level.
Sources:
- Khavinson VK, Anisimov VN. "A synthetic dipeptide vilon (L-Lys-L-Glu) inhibits growth of spontaneous tumors and increases life span of mice." Doklady Biological Sciences. 2000;372:261-263. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10944717/
- Khavinson VK, Kvetnoi IM. "Peptide bioregulators inhibit apoptosis." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2000;130(12):1175-1176. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11276315/
Cardiovascular Gene Expression and Metabolic Health
Vilon demonstrates significant effects on cardiovascular tissue through modulation of cardiac gene expression. Research using DNA-microarray technology published in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine reveals Vilon treatment changes expression of 36 genes in mouse heart tissue, with combined Vilon and Epithalon treatment affecting 144 genes. The peptide activated expression of 157 genes (maximally by 6.13-fold) while inhibiting expression of 23 genes (maximally by 2.79-fold), demonstrating broad but specific regulatory effects on cardiac transcriptional programs.
Gene categories affected by Vilon in cardiac tissue include those involved in energy metabolism, protein synthesis, cellular stress response, and structural proteins essential for cardiac function. This comprehensive modulation of cardiac gene expression suggests Vilon may support cardiovascular health through multiple complementary mechanisms, though the specific functional implications require further investigation in clinical settings.
Studies in patients with diabetes mellitus show Vilon treatment optimizes coagulation hemostasis, manifested by increased content of natural anticoagulants including antithrombin III and protein C, as well as stimulation of fibrinolysis. These effects on hemostasis represent important cardiovascular protective mechanisms, as dysregulated coagulation contributes significantly to cardiovascular complications in diabetes and aging. In most diabetic patients studied, Vilon treatment reduced insulin requirements necessary for carbohydrate metabolism stabilization, suggesting beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
Research on renal tissue demonstrates Vilon modulates transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) levels and reduces microvascular permeability during experimental chronic renal failure. TGF-β1 plays central roles in tissue fibrosis and vascular remodeling, and Vilon's regulatory effects on this pathway suggest potential applications in preventing progression of renal disease and maintaining vascular integrity during metabolic stress conditions.
Sources:
- Anisimov SV, et al. "Studies of the effects of Vilon and Epithalon on gene expression in mouse heart using DNA-microarray technology." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2002;133(3):293-299. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12360356/
- Kuznik BI, et al. "Effect of vilon on the immunity status and coagulation hemostasis in patients of different age with diabetes mellitus." Advances in Gerontology. 2008;21(1):99-103. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18306698/
- Gavrisheva NA, et al. "Effect of peptide Vilon on the content of transforming growth factor-beta and permeability of microvessels during experimental chronic renal failure." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2005;139(1):24-26. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15954541/
Digestive Function and Metabolic Enzyme Activity
Vilon demonstrates significant effects on gastrointestinal function through modulation of digestive enzyme activity. Research examining rats of different ages shows peroral administration of Vilon changed activity of key digestive enzymes including invertase, maltase, alkaline phosphatase, aminopeptidases, and dipeptidases in various portions of the gastrointestinal tract. The increase in enzyme activity was most pronounced in 11-month-old animals, effectively diminishing age-related differences in digestive enzyme function between young and old animals.
Studies published in Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine demonstrate Vilon treatment significantly increases activities of brush border membrane enzymes including maltase and alkaline phosphatase in elderly rats, while also increasing activity of predominantly cytosolic enzymes such as glycyl-L-leucine dipeptidase. These findings indicate Vilon enhances intestinal barrier functions and increases reliability of the intestinal enzymatic system during aging.
The peptide's effects on glucose and glycine absorption in various regions of the small intestine suggest Vilon improves nutrient extraction efficiency in aging subjects. Enhanced digestive enzyme activity in both epithelial and subepithelial layers of intestinal tissue indicates Vilon's effects extend beyond surface-level improvements to include deeper tissue-level metabolic enhancements. These gastrointestinal benefits complement Vilon's systemic anti-aging effects, as efficient nutrient absorption and intestinal barrier integrity are critical for maintaining health during aging.
Research indicates Vilon is not hydrolyzed in the stomach and small intestine, allowing the peptide to transit through the digestive system intact while simultaneously exerting regulatory effects on intestinal enzyme systems. This unique property enables Vilon to function both as a stable bioactive compound for systemic delivery and as a regulator of digestive function during oral administration.
Sources:
- Iezuitova NN, et al. "Effect of the dipeptide vilon on activity of digestive enzyme in rats of various ages." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2001;132(4):937-940. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11586413/
- Khavinson VK, et al. "Effect of Vilon and Epithalon on Activity of Enzymes in Epithelial and Subepithelial Layers in Small Intestine of Old Rats." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2002;134(6):562-564. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12645318/
- Khavinson VK, et al. "Effect of Vilon and Epithalon on Glucose and Glycine Absorption in Various Regions of Small Intestine in Aged Rats." Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine. 2002;133(5):463-465. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12360364/
Disclaimer: The research articles listed above are for informational purposes only.
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