Overview
Overview
Vesugen (Lys-Glu-Asp, also known as KED) is a tripeptide bioregulator synthesized at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology[1]. Research suggests it may support vascular endothelial cell proliferation through epigenetic regulation of Ki-67 gene expression[2]. This educational protocol presents a once-daily subcutaneous approach using a practical dilution for clear insulin-syringe measurements. Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → ~6.67 mg/mL concentration. Ty
- Category
- Longevity
- Routes
- subcutaneous
Mechanism
Vesugen (Lys-Glu-Asp)
Mechanism of action
Mechanism of action
Vesugen (KED) is a tripeptide derived from amino acids associated with vascular wall proteins [1] . Research indicates it may support vascular endothelial cell proliferation by modulating the expression of Ki-67, a protein closely associated with cell division [2] . The peptide is hypothesized to interact with promoter regions of the Ki-67 gene, potentially influencing epigenetic regulation [3] . Additional studies suggest Vesugen may normalize endothelin-1 expression and increase sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) expression in vascular endothelial cells [4] .
Key research findings
- 01
In vitro (vascular endothelium): In cultured human endothelium modeling normal, atherosclerotic, and restenotic states, KED (Lys-Glu-Asp) was reported to normalize endothelin-1 expression, restore connexin-mediated cell-cell coupling, and increase sirtuin-1, which the authors interpret as epigenetic/gene-regulatory activity supporting endothelial function (PubMed PMID 28539025).
- 02
In vitro + molecular modeling: In dissociated vascular endothelial cell cultures, vesugen stimulated the proliferation marker Ki-67 (which declines with cell aging), and molecular docking modeled a direct interaction of the peptide with the MKI67 gene promoter, offering the group's proposed mechanism for a previously reported vasoprotective effect (PMID 25051766; related fibroblast/differentiation work PMID 22808515, DOI 10.1007/s10517-012-1664-1).
- 03
In vitro (broader cell aging): At nanomolar concentrations in aging human cell cultures, KED modulated aging- and senescence-associated genes/proteins, e.g., increasing IGF1 and decreasing FOXO1 in mesenchymal stem cells (PMID 32399807, DOI 10.1007/s11033-020-05506-3) and inhibiting MMP-9 while raising Ki-67 and CD98hc in skin fibroblasts (PMID 27259496, DOI 10.1007/s10517-016-3370-x).
- 04
In vitro (neuronal/neurogenesis): KED promoted neuronal differentiation and dendritic growth, increasing GAP43 and nestin in human periodontal-ligament stem cells (PMID 30791821, DOI 10.1177/2058738419828613) and increasing dendrite number/length in neurons transdifferentiated from elderly-donor fibroblasts (PMID 39518916, DOI 10.3390/ijms252111363); a review summarizes its modeled effects on neurogenesis- and Alzheimer's-associated genes such as p16, p21, nestin, GAP43, APOE, and IGF1 (PMID 34173097, DOI 10.1007/s10517-021-05192-6).
- 05
Human study (small, uncontrolled, single-group): A few small Russian studies, frequently combining Vesugen with the peptide Pinealon, reported changes in 'biological age' indicators (PMID 28539017; PMID 26390612), and one monotherapy clinical study in older men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction reported changes in Doppler-measured penile arterial blood flow (PMID 25051774). None were randomized or placebo-controlled, so they are hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory.
- 06
Human study (observed effects in research): In one geroprotection study, the Vesugen + Pinealon combination was associated with prooxidant activity by chemiluminescence and a reduction in circulating CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells alongside the reported anabolic effects, indicating that observed effects in research are not uniformly favorable and warrant further study (PMID 26390612).
Primary source: The Vesugen/KED evidence base is real and PubMed-indexed but narrow in provenance: it is dominated by in vitro and molecular-docking studies plus a handful of small, uncontrolled human studies, the great majority authored by Vladimir Khavinson's group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology and collaborators, with much of the human work published in Russian-language gerontology journals. Maturity is early and preclinical-dominant: there are no registered randomized controlled trials and little to no independent replication, so the research should be read as exploratory mechanistic and pilot-level work rather than established science.
Researched Effects
Researched benefits
Areas of active research and investigation. Results may vary and are based on preclinical or early clinical data.
May support vascular endothelial cell proliferation and renewal through Ki-67 gene regulation[2][3].
Research suggests potential neuroprotective properties; oral application improved memory and attention in elderly individuals with functional CNS disorders[5].
May restore synaptic plasticity in in vitro models of Alzheimer’s disease[6].
Protocol Reference
Protocol reference
Commonly cited research range: 500–2000 mcg, daily.
Reference figures reported in the research literature — not a dosing recommendation. For interactive vial math and scheduling, see the Calculator and Schedule tabs.
Cited protocol & reconstitution guide
Source-backed reference fields by phase, including any volume fields authored in the cited guide.
Week 1
500 mcg (0.5 mg)
Week 2
1000 mcg (1.0 mg)
Week 3
1500 mcg (1.5 mg)
Weeks 4–8+
1500–2000 mcg (1.5–2.0 mg)
| Phase | Reference amount | Units / volume |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 500 mcg (0.5 mg) | 7.5 units (0.075 mL) |
| Week 2 | 1000 mcg (1.0 mg) | 15 units (0.15 mL) |
| Week 3 | 1500 mcg (1.5 mg) | 22.5 units (0.225 mL) |
| Weeks 4–8+ | 1500–2000 mcg (1.5–2.0 mg) | 22.5–30 units (0.225–0.30 mL) |
Storage & Handling
Storage requirements(typical for most peptides)
Can be stored for extended periods. Protect from moisture.
Store in refrigerator door. Never freeze after reconstitution.
Label vials with reconstitution date. Discard if cloudy.
Reconstitution steps
- 01🌡️Draw 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water with a sterile syringe[9].
- 02🧴Inject slowly down the vial wall; avoid foaming.
- 03💉Gently swirl/roll until dissolved (do not shake).
- 04💧Label and refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F), protected from light[10].
- 05🔄Important: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. For research use only. Not for human consumption.
Additional storage notes
Store at −20 °C (−4 °F) in dry, dark conditions; minimize moisture exposure.
Refrigerate at 2–8 °C (35.6–46.4 °F); prepare aliquots if needed and avoid freeze–thaw .
Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening to reduce condensation uptake.
Clinical Evidence
Clinical evidence
Preclinical research reports support of endothelial function and vascular tissue regulation; human data are absent.
The Vesugen/KED evidence base is real and PubMed-indexed but narrow in provenance: it is dominated by in vitro and molecular-docking studies plus a handful of small, uncontrolled human studies, the great majority authored by Vladimir Khavinson's group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology and collaborators, with much of the human work published in Russian-language gerontology journals. Maturity is early and preclinical-dominant: there are no registered randomized controlled trials and little to no independent replication, so the research should be read as exploratory mechanistic and pilot-level work rather than established science.
- 01In vitro (vascular endothelium): In cultured human endothelium modeling normal, atherosclerotic, and restenotic states, KED (Lys-Glu-Asp) was reported to normalize endothelin-1 expression, restore connexin-mediated cell-cell coupling, and increase sirtuin-1, which the authors interpret as epigenetic/gene-regulatory activity supporting endothelial function (PubMed PMID 28539025).
- 02In vitro + molecular modeling: In dissociated vascular endothelial cell cultures, vesugen stimulated the proliferation marker Ki-67 (which declines with cell aging), and molecular docking modeled a direct interaction of the peptide with the MKI67 gene promoter, offering the group's proposed mechanism for a previously reported vasoprotective effect (PMID 25051766; related fibroblast/differentiation work PMID 22808515, DOI 10.1007/s10517-012-1664-1).
- 03In vitro (broader cell aging): At nanomolar concentrations in aging human cell cultures, KED modulated aging- and senescence-associated genes/proteins, e.g., increasing IGF1 and decreasing FOXO1 in mesenchymal stem cells (PMID 32399807, DOI 10.1007/s11033-020-05506-3) and inhibiting MMP-9 while raising Ki-67 and CD98hc in skin fibroblasts (PMID 27259496, DOI 10.1007/s10517-016-3370-x).
- 04In vitro (neuronal/neurogenesis): KED promoted neuronal differentiation and dendritic growth, increasing GAP43 and nestin in human periodontal-ligament stem cells (PMID 30791821, DOI 10.1177/2058738419828613) and increasing dendrite number/length in neurons transdifferentiated from elderly-donor fibroblasts (PMID 39518916, DOI 10.3390/ijms252111363); a review summarizes its modeled effects on neurogenesis- and Alzheimer's-associated genes such as p16, p21, nestin, GAP43, APOE, and IGF1 (PMID 34173097, DOI 10.1007/s10517-021-05192-6).
- 05Human study (small, uncontrolled, single-group): A few small Russian studies, frequently combining Vesugen with the peptide Pinealon, reported changes in 'biological age' indicators (PMID 28539017; PMID 26390612), and one monotherapy clinical study in older men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction reported changes in Doppler-measured penile arterial blood flow (PMID 25051774). None were randomized or placebo-controlled, so they are hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory.
- 06Human study (observed effects in research): In one geroprotection study, the Vesugen + Pinealon combination was associated with prooxidant activity by chemiluminescence and a reduction in circulating CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells alongside the reported anabolic effects, indicating that observed effects in research are not uniformly favorable and warrant further study (PMID 26390612).
Evidence maturity varies by compound; much peptide research is preclinical (in vitro or animal-model). Where human data are limited, findings should be read as research observations, not clinical conclusions.
References
Literature references
Published research articles and sources related to Vesugen (Lys-Glu-Asp).
- 01Bull Exp Biol Med (2016) — Short Peptides Regulate Gene Expression (Khavinson et al.) View Sourceet al. (2016)
- 02Adv Gerontol (2014) — Epigenetic aspects of peptidergic regulation of vascular endothelial cell proliferation during aging View Sourceet al. (2014)
- 03Molecules (2021) — Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review (MDPI) View Sourceet al. (2021)
- 04Adv Gerontol (2016) — Molecular aspects of vasoprotective peptide KED activity during atherosclerosis and restenosis View Sourceet al. (2016)
- 05Bull Exp Biol Med (2021) — Peptide KED: Molecular-Genetic Aspects of Neurogenesis Regulation in Alzheimer’s Disease View Sourceet al. (2021)
- 06Bull Exp Biol Med (2017) — Tripeptides Restore the Number of Neuronal Spines under Conditions of In Vitro Modeled Alzheimer’s Disease View Sourceet al. (2017)
- 07Int J Mol Sci (2022) — Neuroepigenetic Mechanisms of Action of Ultrashort Peptides in Alzheimer’s Disease View Sourceet al. (2022)
- 08Pharmaceuticals (2021) — Neuroprotective Effects of Tripeptides-Epigenetic Regulators in Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease View Sourceet al. (2021)
- 09DailyMed — Bacteriostatic Water injection, solution (FDA labeling) View Source
- 10PMC (2024) — Practical advice in the development of a lyophilized protein drug product View Sourceet al. (2024)
- 11MedlinePlus — Subcutaneous (SQ) injections: technique and site guidance View Source
- 12NCBI Bookshelf — Best practices for injection (WHO guidelines) View Source
- 13CDC — Vaccine administration: subcutaneous injection technique View Source
- 14Biogerontology (2010) — Peptide bioregulation of aging: Results and prospects (Anisimov & Khavinson) View Sourceet al. (2010)
- 15Stem Cell Rev Rep (2020) — Peptide Regulation of Cell Differentiation View Sourceet al. (2020)
- 16Pure Lab Peptides — Vesugen (20 mg) product page (quality and batch documentation) View Source
Observed Effects
Observed effects in cited research
Reported
- Generally well tolerated in reported studies; occasional mild injection-site reactions (redness/itch) may occur with subcutaneous administration.
Research Considerations
Research considerations
Research Use Only - not for human or veterinary therapeutic use. Current evidence is limited to in vitro and/or animal-model research; human data are minimal or absent. Consult a licensed healthcare professional for any clinical decisions.
Factors noted in the research literature; not patient-specific medical advice.
Regulatory Status
Regulatory status
RUO
Comparisons
Comparisons
| Compound | Mechanism | Route | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vesugen (Lys-Glu-Asp)this | A synthetic tripeptide bioregulator (Lys-Glu-Asp) studied for gene-regulatory support of vascular endothelial tissue. | subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
| Vilon | A synthetic immunoregulatory dipeptide (Lys-Glu) studied for gene-regulatory and immunomodulatory activity, including effects on lymphocyte markers and chromatin structure. | subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
| Cartalax | A synthetic tripeptide bioregulator (Ala-Glu-Asp) studied for gene-regulatory activity in connective and cartilage tissue, with proposed anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects. | subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
| Chonluten | A short tripeptide bioregulator (Glu-Asp-Gly) studied for effects on bronchopulmonary tissue and modulation of inflammatory signaling in monocyte/macrophage models. | subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
| Cortagen | A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) of the Khavinson bioregulator class studied for neuroprotective and neuroregenerative activity, including peripheral nerve repair. | subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
| 5-Amino-1MQ | Inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), increasing NAD+ availability and enhancing mitochondrial metabolism. | oral, subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
| Adipotide | A peptidomimetic that targets prohibitin on the vasculature of white adipose tissue and delivers a pro-apoptotic sequence, studied for selective reduction of fat-tissue blood supply. | subcutaneous | Investigational / RUO |
Attributes shown for research comparison only; not a statement of efficacy or therapeutic equivalence.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Vesugen is the synthetic tripeptide Lys-Glu-Asp (KED), one of the 'short peptide bioregulators' developed by Vladimir Khavinson's group and studied in research framing for the vascular wall/endothelium and cellular aging. It is a Research Use Only material and is not an approved drug.
According to PubMed-indexed studies, most evidence is in vitro. In endothelial cell cultures KED was reported to normalize endothelin-1 and increase sirtuin-1 (PMID 28539025) and to stimulate the proliferation marker Ki-67 with a proposed gene-promoter interaction shown by molecular docking (PMID 25051766). Broader cell-aging and neuronal-differentiation effects have also been reported (e.g., PMIDs 32399807, 30791821, 39518916). Human data are limited to small, uncontrolled studies.
Yes, but it is limited. A few small Russian studies, frequently combining Vesugen with the peptide Pinealon, reported changes in 'biological age' measures (PMIDs 28539017, 26390612), and one monotherapy study in older men with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction reported changes in Doppler-measured arterial blood flow (PMID 25051774). These were small, non-randomized, and not placebo-controlled, so they are hypothesis-generating rather than confirmatory and should not be read as evidence of clinical benefit.
It is weak and not independently established. Nearly all studies originate from a single research network (Khavinson and collaborators), many human reports appear in Russian-language journals, several human studies tested peptide combinations rather than KED alone, and there is little independent replication and no registered randomized controlled trial.
The authors propose an epigenetic/gene-regulatory model in which KED interacts with specific gene-promoter sequences to modulate expression of vascular- and aging-related genes (for example, endothelin-1, sirtuin-1, and the Ki-67/MKI67 proliferation gene), rather than acting through a classical receptor (PMIDs 28539025, 25051766, 24909721). This mechanism is largely inferred from in vitro work and molecular docking and remains to be confirmed.
In one small human geroprotection study, the Vesugen + Pinealon combination was associated with prooxidant activity (by chemiluminescence) and a reduction in circulating CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells alongside the reported anabolic effects (PMID 26390612). This is a single small study; the overall profile of observed effects in research is not well characterized, and on this platform Vesugen is handled strictly as a Research Use Only material.
No human dose is established, and none is provided here. Research-reported amounts and schedules vary across the limited primary literature, which is not standardized; for any study-design questions, consult the specific protocol reference rather than this summary. This is not medical advice, and Vesugen is Research Use Only.
Research-use notice
Research Use Only. This educational content and calculation support is intended for private research documentation. It does not provide medical advice, human-use directions, or claims of safety or effectiveness.