Epithalon is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) developed by Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is a synthetic analog of epithalamin, a polypeptide complex isolated from the bovine pineal gland.
Telomerase Activation and hTERT Expression
Epithalon's most cited mechanism is activation of telomerase. In somatic cells, telomerase is typically silenced; each division shortens telomeres by 50–200 base pairs until critically short telomeres trigger senescence or apoptosis. Research by Khavinson et al. (2003) demonstrated Epithalon increased telomerase activity in human fetal fibroblasts, producing measurable telomere elongation and extending the Hayflick limit via upregulation of hTERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase.
In Vivo Longevity Models
In Drosophila models, Epithalon increased mean lifespan by ~11–16% depending on dose and sex. In transgenic HER2/neu mice, it reduced tumor incidence and extended survival. Longer-term rodent studies reported reductions in age-related pathology and preserved immune function.
Pineal and Neuroendocrine Regulation
Epithalon increases melatonin production in aging animals where pineal function has declined. This may represent a second anti-aging mechanism operating in parallel with its telomere effects — addressing both the molecular clock (telomere shortening) and the circadian clock (melatonin rhythm) simultaneously.
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Epithalon — View Product Page →References
- Khavinson VKh, et al. (2003). Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells. Bull Exp Biol Med, 135(6), 590–592.
- Anisimov VN, et al. (2003). Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging in senescent rodents. Neuro Endocrinol Lett, 24(3–4), 244–252.
- Kossoy G, et al. (2006). Effect of epitalon on spontaneous carcinogenesis in C3H/He mice. In Vivo, 20(2), 253–257.