Epitalon (epithalamin, Epithalon, AEDG) is a synthetic tetrapeptide with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly. It was created at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology under the direction of Professor Vladimir Khavinson — one of the world’s leading specialists in peptide bioregulation. Epitalon is a synthetic analog of epithalamin, a peptide naturally produced by the epiphysis (pineal gland).
Professor Khavinson and his team studied peptide bioregulators for more than 40 years. Work on epitalon has been published in leading scientific journals, including the Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Neuroendocrinology Letters, and Biogerontology. It is one of the few peptides of Russian origin with international scientific recognition.
To understand how epitalon works, you need to understand telomeres. Telomeres are the protective “caps” at the ends of chromosomes, made up of repeating DNA sequences (TTAGGG). With each cell division the telomeres shorten. When they become critically short, the cell stops dividing and enters a state of senescence (aging) or dies.
Telomere length is one of the most reliable biomarkers of biological age:
Epitalon activates telomerase — an enzyme capable of rebuilding telomeric repeats and thus “reversing” shortening. In the normal somatic cells of an adult, telomerase is practically inactive (it works in stem and germ cells). Epitalon reactivates the expression of the hTERT gene, the catalytic subunit of telomerase.
The result: cells gain the ability to divide longer while retaining their function. This is not “immortality” — it is a slowing of the biological clock.
Animal studies (Khavinson et al.):
Clinical observations in humans (Khavinson, 2003):
Epitalon is one of the few peptides with long-term human data (more than 15 years of observation). Most peptides have been studied only in cell models and animals, whereas epitalon has a clinical history.
The classic Khavinson protocol: courses of 10–20 days, 2–3 times a year. Between courses there is a break of 4–6 months. Epitalon is injected subcutaneously. The lyophilized powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water. Storage is at 2–8°C.
Epitalon combines well with other anti-aging peptides — GHK-Cu (for skin), SS-31 (for mitochondria), DSIP (for sleep). A comprehensive approach delivers a synergistic effect.