Epithalon

What Is Epithalon?

Epithalon (also known as Epitalon, Epithalone or Epithalamin) is a short synthetic peptide known to activate the telomerase enzyme and stimulate melatonin release. First developed in Russia in the 1980s, epithalon has been shown to delay age-related changes in reproductive and immune systems and increase the life span of mice and rats. Though it is primarily of interest in anti-aging research, epithalon has shown significant effects in certain types of cancer, infectious disease, and in DNA regulation.

Epithalon Research

1. The Role of Telomerase in the Anti-Aging Effects of Epithalon

Early research using insects and rodents revealed that epithalon can prolong life substantially. In normal, healthy fruit flies and rats, epithalon decreases mortality by 52%. In mice prone to both heart disease and cancer, epithalon prolongs life by as much as 27% compared to controls. At least part of the answer to how epithalon achieves these profound effects is via its elimination of free radicals (charged molecules that do damage to healthy tissue).

Anti-oxidant activity is not the only reason that epithalon extends life, however. There is good evidence from in vitro experiments on human somatic cells to show that epithalon activates an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase protects telomeres, the ends of chromosomes that are critical to ensuring the health of DNA. Epithalon’s activation of telomerase leads directly to a decrease in how many errors a strand of DNA contains, supporting the notion that epithalon protects DNA from damage. In short, epithalon protects DNA from accumulating errors over time, a process that eventually leads to cell dysfunction, aging, and even cancer in some cases.

2. Epithalon and DNA Activation

Neither its impact on free radicals nor its effects on telomeres seem sufficient to explain the profound effects that epithalon has on longevity. Indeed, scientists are working hard to understand how this short peptide achieves the effects that it does so that the mechanisms can be explored in depth. As it turns out, at least part of the answer may come from the fact that epithalon changes the expression of certain genes.

Research in cell cultures shows that epithalon interacts directly with DNA to turn on and enhance the expression of certain genes. Epithalon interacts with the promoter regions of genes for CD5, IL-2, MMP2, and Tram1. CD5 and IL-2 both affect the function of the immune system while MMP2 plays a critical role in the maintenance of extracellular matrix in skin, tendons, and other connective tissue. These findings suggest that epithalon may impact the function of the immune system and the ability of the body to heal itself following not only injury, but following typical day-to-day stress as well.

It is not surprising that epithalon impacts the immune system. Research in rats indicates that epithalon boost the expression of interferon gamma in aging lymphocytes. Interferon gamma is a critical signaling molecule in the immune system. It is important for fighting off viral infections through the activation of macrophages, natural killer cells, and T cells.

The following are known DNA interactions of epithalon:

1. CD5 – Leads to immune cell differentiation
2. IL-2 – Increases IL-2 production, which regulates white blood cells
3. MMP2 – Enhances MMP activation and decreases inflammation
4. Tram1 – Enhances protein production
5. Arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase – Enhances melatonin production
6. pCREB t – Circadian rhythm regulation and anti-neoplastic effects
7. Telomerase – Telomerase activity increases cell longevity
8. Epithalon and Skin Health

As stated above, epithalon has a positive effect on the gene that regulates MMP2. MMP2 is a protein found in connective tissue like skin. Research in rodents indicates that not only does epithalon activate this gene, it activates fibroblasts, the cells that produce and maintain MMP2 as well as other components of the extracellular matrix like collagen and elastin. Mice exposed to epithalon show an increase in fibroblast activation of 30-45%. By activating fibroblasts, epithalon can help to boost rates of healing and offset the natural decline in skin structure and integrity that occurs with aging.

Further evidence for epithalon’s benefit in skin comes from the fact that it decreases caspase-3 activity. Caspase-3 is an enzyme in the apoptosis or programmed cell death pathway. By decreasing caspase-3 activity, epithalon helps to protect fibroblasts and other skin cells, keeping them alive and healthy for longer periods of time.

4. Epithalon and Tumor Growth

Daily administration of epithalon to rats with cancer has been found to decrease tumor growth. Not only does the peptide reduce tumor growth, it prevents the metastasis or spread of these tumors to distant tissues as well. Epithalon is currently being investigated as a potential treatment for Her-2/neu positive breast cancers and is of interest in preventing the development of certain types of leukemia as well as testicular cancer.

There is some evidence that epithalon activates the gene for PER1 protein, which is found in the hypothalamus. PER1, which helps to regulate circadian rhythm, is under-expressed in cancer patients. It is unclear if this under-expression precedes cancer development and therefore contributes to cancer growth or is a consequence of cancer development. It is clear that the protein affects cancer growth once the cancer is established. Control of PER1 expression may be one means of naturally slowing tumor growth. Research shows that PER1 expression sensitizes cells to the effects of radiation and may therefore help to decrease the doses of radiation needed to treat certain cancers, a fact that would not only offset immediate side effects, but reduce the occurrence of secondary tumors following high doses of radiation.

5. Epithalon and Melatonin Secretion

Melatonin, which is linked to sleep and aging, is produced by the pineal gland. Research in rats shows that epithalon and similar peptides affect both the synthesis and release of melatonin by affecting the expression of two proteins (arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and pCREB transcription protein).Both of these genes play an important role in melatonin production and in the circadian (day/night) control of melatonin release. Research in monkeys indicates that epithalon restores melatonin secretion to normal.

6. Epithalon and Eyesight

A trial in rats suffering from retinitis pigmentosa found that epithalon improves outcomes in 90% of patients. It appears that the peptide helps to preserver normal structure of the eye while boosting the bioelectric function of the retina necessary for vision.

Epithalon exhibits minimal side effects, low oral and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not scale to humans. Epithalon for sale at General Peptides is limited to educational and scientific research only, not for human consumption. Only buy Epithalon if you are a licensed researcher.

Article Author

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. Logan, M.D. Dr. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Scientific Journal Article

Vladimir Khavinson is a Professor, President of the European region of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics; Member of the Russian and Ukrainian Academies of Medical Sciences; Main gerontologist of the Health Committee of the Government of Saint Petersburg, Russia; Director of the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology; Vice-president of Gerontological Society of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Head of the Chair of Gerontology and Geriatrics of the North-Western State Medical University, St-Petersburg; Colonel of medical service (USSR, Russia), retired. Vladimir Khavinson is known for the discovery, experimental and clinical studies of new classes of peptide bioregulators as well as for the development of bioregulating peptide therapy. He is engaged in studying of the role of peptides in regulation of the mechanisms of ageing. His main field of actions is design, pre-clinical and clinical studies of new peptide geroprotectors. A 40-year-long investigation resulted in a multitude of methods of application of peptide bioregulators to slow down the process of ageing and increase human life span. Six peptide-based pharmaceuticals and 64 peptide food supplements have been introduced into clinical practice by V. Khavinson. He is an author of 196 patents (Russian and international) as well as of 775 scientific publications. His major achievements are presented in two books: “Peptides and Ageing” (NEL, 2002) and “Gerontological aspects of genome peptide regulation” (Karger AG, 2005). Vladimir Khavinson introduced scientific specialty “Gerontology and Geriatrics” in the Russian Federation on the governmental level. Academic Council headed by V. Khavinson has oversighted over 200 Ph.D. and Doctorate theses from many different countries.

Prof. Vladimir Khavinson is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of Epitalon. In no way is this doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between General Peptides and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide. Prof. Vladimir Khavinson is listed in [1] [2] [5] [6] [7] [9] [12] [13] [15] and [17] under the referenced citations.

Referenced Citations

• [1] V. N. Anisimov, S. V. Mylnikov, and V. K. Khavinson, “Pineal peptide preparation epithalamin increases the lifespan of fruit flies, mice and rats,” Mech. Ageing Dev., vol. 103, no. 2, pp. 123–132, Jun. 1998. [PubMed]
• [2] V. K. Khavinson, I. E. Bondarev, and A. A. Butyugov, “Epithalon peptide induces telomerase activity and telomere elongation in human somatic cells,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 135, no. 6, pp. 590–592, Jun. 2003. [PubMed]
• [3] T. A. Dzhokhadze, T. Z. Buadze, M. N. Gaiozishvili, M. A. Rogava, and T. A. Lazhava, “[Functional regulation of genome with peptide bioregulators by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (by patients and relatives)],” Georgian Med. News, no. 225, pp. 94–97, Dec. 2013. [PubMed]
• [4] V. N. Anisimov et al., “Effect of Epitalon on biomarkers of aging, life span and spontaneous tumor incidence in female Swiss-derived SHR mice,” Biogerontology, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 193–202, 2003. [PubMed]
• [5] V. K. Khavinson, S. I. Tarnovskaya, N. S. Linkova, V. E. Pronyaeva, L. K. Shataeva, and P. P. Yakutseni, “Short cell-penetrating peptides: a model of interactions with gene promoter sites,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 154, no. 3, pp. 403–410, Jan. 2013. [PubMed]
• [6] N. S. Lin’kova, B. I. Kuznik, and V. K. Khavinson, “[Peptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly and interferon gamma: their role in immune response during aging],” Adv. Gerontol. Uspekhi Gerontol., vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 478–482, 2012. [PubMed]
• [7] N. I. Chalisova, N. S. Lin’kova, A. N. Zhekalov, A. O. Orlova, G. A. Ryzhak, and V. K. Khavinson, “[Short peptides stimulate skin cell regeneration during ageing],” Adv. Gerontol. Uspekhi Gerontol., vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 699–703, 2014. [PubMed]
• [8] N. S. Lin’kova et al., “Peptide Regulation of Skin Fibroblast Functions during Their Aging In Vitro,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 161, no. 1, pp. 175–178, May 2016. [PubMed]
• [9] I. A. Vinogradova, A. V. Bukalev, M. A. Zabezhinski, A. V. Semenchenko, V. K. Khavinson, and V. N. Anisimov, “Effect of Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly peptide on life span and development of spontaneous tumors in female rats exposed to different illumination regimes,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 144, no. 6, pp. 825–830, Dec. 2007. [PubMed]
• [10] G. Kossoy, V. N. Anisimov, H. Ben-Hur, N. Kossoy, and I. Zusman, “Effect of the synthetic pineal peptide epitalon on spontaneous carcinogenesis in female C3H/He mice,” Vivo Athens Greece, vol. 20, no. 2, pp. 253–257, Apr. 2006. [PubMed]
• [11] V. N. Anisimov et al., “Inhibitory effect of the peptide epitalon on the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in HER-2/neu transgenic mice,” Int. J. Cancer, vol. 101, no. 1, pp. 7–10, 2002. [PubMed]
• [12] V. N. Anisimov, V. K. Khavinson, I. N. Alimova, A. V. Semchenko, and A. I. Yashin, “Epithalon decelerates aging and suppresses development of breast adenocarcinomas in transgenic her-2/neu mice,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 134, no. 2, pp. 187–190, Aug. 2002. [PubMed]
• [13] I. A. Vinogradova, A. V. Bukalev, M. A. Zabezhinski, A. V. Semenchenko, V. K. Khavinson, and V. N. Anisimov, “Geroprotective effect of ala-glu-asp-gly peptide in male rats exposed to different illumination regimens,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 145, no. 4, pp. 472–477, Apr. 2008. [PubMed]
• [14] S. Gery, N. Komatsu, L. Baldjyan, A. Yu, D. Koo, and H. P. Koeffler, “The circadian gene per1 plays an important role in cell growth and DNA damage control in human cancer cells,” Mol. Cell, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 375–382, May 2006. [PubMed]
• [15] V. K. Khavinson, L. K. Shataeva, and A. A. Chernova, “Effect of regulatory peptides on gene transcription,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 136, no. 3, pp. 288–290, Sep. 2003. [PubMed]
• [16] O. V. Korkushko et al., “[Normalizing effect of the pineal gland peptides on the daily melatonin rhythm in old monkeys and elderly people],” Adv. Gerontol. Uspekhi Gerontol., vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 74–85, 2007. [PubMed]

[17] V. Khavinson, M. Razumovsky, S. Trofimova, R. Grigorian, and A. Razumovskaya, “Pineal-regulating tetrapeptide epitalon improves eye retina condition in retinitis pigmentosa,” Neuro Endocrinol. Lett., vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 365–368, Aug. 2002. [PubMed]