Livagen
Khavinson Tetrapeptide (KEDA) | Chromatin Remodeler & Hepatocyte Bioregulator
On this page
What is Livagen?
Livagen is a lab-made four-amino-acid peptide (called a bioregulator) developed by Russian researchers, studied mainly for its effects on liver cells and on how DNA is packaged inside aging cells. Nearly all of the published research comes from cell-culture and animal studies out of one research group, with no large human trials to date. It's sold here strictly as a research chemical for laboratory study, not for use in people or animals.
Key terms:
Livagen is a synthetic short peptide (khavinson bioregulator class).
Livagen is a lab-made four-amino-acid peptide, verified sequence Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (KEDA). Vladimir Khavinson's team at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology developed it as a synthetic analog of Ventvil, a natural liver polypeptide complex. About 15 PubMed-indexed papers cover it, from two collaborating research networks. The most-cited mechanism is epigenetic chromatin remodeling (changes in DNA packing). In elderly-donor lymphocytes ex vivo, pericentromeric structural heterochromatin decondensed and age-silenced ribosomal RNA genes reactivated. Also reported: enkephalinase inhibition in human serum (IC50 ~20 micromolar), age-normalized digestive enzyme activity in rats given oral KEDA, and more protein synthesis in cultured rat liver cells. No randomized controlled trial, human pharmacokinetic study, or fully independent Western replication has been published.
Key research areas
- Proposed chromatin remodeler with ex vivo evidence for de-heterochromatinization in aged lymphocytes
- Rat hepatocyte protein synthesis enhancement
- Enkephalinase inhibition in human serum (IC50 ~20 micromolar)
- Age-normalization of digestive enzyme activity in rats
- Animal hepatitis and cirrhosis model data (review only)
Researched dosing
This table reflects dosing schedules used in community and limited animal research for Livagen — presented as research-methodology reference, not usage instructions.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longevity and liver models | 100-200mcg per injection | 1-2x weekly | SubQ |
Commonly cycled 20 weeks on, 0+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, Livagen research looks at how the peptide may affect the packaging of DNA inside older cells and at its effects on liver-cell (hepatocyte) protein production — the terms below are the biology names for those processes.
Synthetic tetrapeptide Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala. Ex vivo evidence indicates pericentromeric structural heterochromatin decondensation and reactivation of age-silenced ribosomal RNA genes in elderly lymphocytes. In vitro evidence shows enkephalinase inhibition in human serum (IC50 ~20 micromolar) without direct opioid receptor binding. In cultured rat hepatocytes, Livagen increased protein synthesis amplitude with the largest effect in old animals. No molecular receptor target has been identified at structural resolution.
Molecular data
These figures — molecular weight, chain length, sequence — are the chemistry ID researchers use to confirm a Livagen sample is the four-amino-acid KEDA sequence it's meant to be, distinct from a similarly named compound (Testagen).
- Weight
- 461.5 Da
- Length
- 4 amino acids
- Type
- Synthetic short peptide (Khavinson bioregulator class)
Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (H-K-E-D-A-OH)
Pharmacokinetics
This chart is a modeled estimate, not a measured human pharmacokinetic study — no human PK data for Livagen has been published, so treat the curve as a research reference point only.
- Peak
- 0.05 hr
- Half-life
- 0.5 hrs
- Cleared
- ~2.5 hrs
Timofeeva et al. 2005 Adv Gerontol (PMID 16075683)
Research applications
This section summarizes the research areas — cellular aging markers and liver-cell studies — that lab research has looked at for Livagen, based on cell-culture and animal data, not human trials.
Longevity
Pericentromeric structural heterochromatin decondensation and ribosomal gene reactivation in elderly human lymphocytes (ex vivo). Increased protein synthesis amplitude in cultured rat hepatocytes, with the largest effect in old animals.
Inflammation
Animal model data suggests hepatoprotective effects in hepatitis and cirrhosis models per 2020 Khavinson-group review.
Recovery
Oral administration normalized digestive enzyme activity in aged rats over a 2-week dosing course, suggesting potential recovery support in aging.
Immunity
Enkephalinase inhibition may modulate endogenous opioid tone with downstream immune implications; clinical significance has not been studied.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- Only published dosing is a 2-week oral protocol in rats; community figures (100–200 mcg) lack peer-reviewed support.
- Frequency in studies
- Daily during course in rat oral protocol. Community injectable use typically 1-2x weekly without published basis.
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- Ex vivo chromatin de-heterochromatinization within 24-72 hours of cell exposure. Rat digestive-enzyme normalization over 2 weeks. No human efficacy timeline published.
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2-8°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use within 7-10 days.
- Cycle length
- 2 weeks (rat oral protocol). Community injectable cycles run 10-20 days without published validation.
- Break between cycles
- Khavinson protocol framework references quarterly cycles; no published evidence-based interval.
Interactions
This list shows which other peptides researchers and the community study alongside Livagen, and why.
Reconstitution & storage
This is the standard laboratory method for turning freeze-dried Livagen powder into a liquid research solution.
- Allow vial to reach room temperature for 5-10 minutes
- Add solvent slowly down the vial wall; do not shake
- Gently swirl until fully dissolved (solution should be clear)
- Reconstitution volume is operator-dependent; common community practice is 1-2 mL per 10 mg vial
- Use reconstituted solution within 7-10 days; store at 2-8°C between uses
Lyophilized: 2-8°C, use within Per manufacturer expiry
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within 7-10 days
Open the Livagen reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the checks — powder appearance, solution clarity, sequence verification via lab report — researchers use to confirm a Livagen sample is correctly identified, since it's easily confused with a similarly named compound.
White lyophilized powder - Legitimate Livagen appears as a white to off-white lyophilized powder. Discoloration, browning, or moisture indicates degradation.
Sealed vial with batch and expiry - Inspect the seal, batch number, and expiry date. Vials without batch documentation should not be used.
Clear reconstituted solution - Reconstituted Livagen should be completely clear and colorless after gentle swirling.
Refrigerated cold chain - Lyophilized vials require 2-8°C storage. Verify cold-pack shipping for any vendor purchase.
Verify sequence is KEDA, not KEDG - Livagen is Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (KEDA). KEDG (Lys-Glu-Asp-Gly) is Testagen, a different compound. Some vendors and biohacking sources cite the wrong sequence. Demand a COA that specifies KEDA.
Research-grade only - Livagen is sold internationally as a research chemical. No pharmaceutical-grade product is registered. Third-party identity testing is reasonable.
Cloudy, yellow, or particulate solution - Discard. Indicates degradation, contamination, or incorrect reconstitution.
What to expect
This timeline summarizes what cell-culture and animal research reports at each study stage — research context, not a personal-results promise.
Ex vivo lymphocyte chromatin shifts occur within 24-72 hours of cell exposure (in vitro reference only)
Rat oral digestive-enzyme normalization observed over a 2-week dosing course
Safety notes
This section covers handling cautions and regulatory notes for Livagen — it is not approved for human use by any regulatory agency, and this is research-use-only scope, not medical advice.
- Pregnancy, lactation, renal/hepatic impairment, and pediatric use have not been studied; default to non-use in these populations
- The enkephalinase-inhibition mechanism is theoretically capable of altering endogenous opioid tone; treat opioid interactions as directional logic only
- Cancer chemotherapy - avoid combination
- Not FDA approved, not EMA approved, no verified Russian pharmaceutical drug registration
- Sold internationally as a research chemical
Regulatory status
- Not approved by the FDA for any indication.
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
Community data
Community Insights
Based on data the community reported. Not clinical proof.
References
Ex vivo treatment of human lymphocytes from elderly donors with Livagen induced ribosomal gene activation, pericentromeric structural heterochromatin decondensation, and reactivation of age-silenced loci. The basis for the chromatin-remodeling epigenetic hypothesis.
Livagen inhibited enkephalin-degrading enzymes in human serum with IC50 ~20 micromolar, outperforming puromycin, leupeptin, and D-PAM in this assay. Livagen did not directly bind opioid receptors.
Oral administration of Livagen to rats over 2 weeks. Livagen was weakly hydrolyzed by intestinal peptidases (suggesting partial oral bioavailability). In aged rats, glycyl-L-leucine dipeptidase activity normalized toward young-control levels.