Vesugen
Khavinson Vascular Tripeptide (KED) | Endothelial Bioregulator
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What is Vesugen?
Vesugen (KED) is a very short, lab-made tripeptide (three amino acids) studied as part of a Russian bioregulator research program, proposed to act on blood-vessel-lining (endothelial) cells through gene-expression pathways. The published evidence base is small — mostly cell-culture and animal studies, plus two small uncontrolled human observations — and researchers should note a 2025 correction on one of the key animal papers. It's sold here strictly as a research chemical for laboratory study, not for use in people or animals.
Key terms:
Vesugen is a synthetic short peptide (khavinson bioregulator class).
Vesugen (also spelled Vezugen) is a lab-made tripeptide, Lys-Glu-Asp (KED), from V.Kh. Khavinson's group at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Proposed as a vascular bioregulator, it sells in Russia as a biologically active food supplement (BAFS), not a registered drug. Evidence: ~15 PubMed-indexed papers, mostly in vitro and rodent, plus two small uncontrolled human observations in the elderly: vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (n=41, PMID 25051774), biological aging markers (n=32, PMID 26390612). Proposed mechanisms: normalized endothelin-1 in cell culture, restored connexin gap junctions, higher SIRT1, epigenetic MKI67 (Ki-67) activation in aged endothelium, less E-selectin. A 2021 mouse Alzheimer study (PMID 34071923) found preserved mushroom-type dendritic spines at 400 mcg/kg IP daily for 2 months; cite with its January 2025 correction (PMID 39861198).
Key research areas
- Vascular endothelial bioregulator with proposed Ki-67 / SIRT1 / connexin effects in cultured cells and animal models
Researched dosing
This table reflects the dosing used in the specific animal study cited in this entry — a research-methodology reference point, not a human dosing guideline, since no human dose has been formally published.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse 5xFAD model (PMID 34071923) | 400 mcg/kg | Once daily for 2 months | IP (intraperitoneal, mouse) |
Commonly cycled 8 weeks on, 0+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, Vesugen research proposes the peptide interacts with gene-expression machinery in blood-vessel-lining (endothelial) cells, with cell-culture studies reporting changes in several aging- and inflammation-related markers.
Synthetic tripeptide Lys-Glu-Asp. Proposed mechanism is epigenetic regulation at the chromatin level: molecular docking shows interaction with the MKI67 (Ki-67) gene promoter in aged endothelial cells, normalization of endothelin-1 in atherosclerosis models, upregulation of SIRT1, reduction of E-selectin, and decrease of senescence markers p16 and p21 in stem cell systems. No receptor target has been identified at molecular resolution. No human pharmacokinetic data has been published.
Molecular data
These figures — molecular weight, three-amino-acid sequence, chain length — are the chemistry fingerprint researchers use to confirm a Vesugen sample's identity, and to distinguish it from several similarly named short peptides in the same research family.
- Weight
- 390.39 Da
- Length
- 3 amino acids
- Type
- Synthetic short peptide (Khavinson bioregulator class)
Lys-Glu-Asp (H-K-E-D-OH)
Pharmacokinetics
This chart shows how quickly Vesugen clears based on the limited pharmacokinetic modeling available — no human pharmacokinetic data has been published, so this reflects the compound's general chemistry rather than a confirmed human profile.
- Peak
- 0.033 hr
- Half-life
- 0.25 hrs
- Cleared
- ~1.3 hrs
Khavinson et al. 2021 Pharmaceuticals (PMID 34071923, with 2025 correction PMID 39861198)
Research applications
This section lists the body systems and research questions scientists have studied for Vesugen — mostly cell-culture and animal vascular-aging research, plus two small uncontrolled human observations — a summary of what's been investigated in the literature, not medical claims about people.
Cardiovascular
Ki-67 stimulation and senescence-marker reduction in cultured aged endothelial cells (no human outcome data). E-selectin reduction and SIRT1 upregulation in vascular cell cultures and rat models (no human RCT). 41-patient uncontrolled study reported improved arterial blood flow (no control arm, no randomization, no blinding - PMID 25051774).
Longevity
Proposed longevity effects through epigenetic regulation, Ki-67 activation, and senescence marker reduction in preclinical models.
Neuroprotection
2021 mouse Alzheimer-disease study (PMID 34071923, with 2025 correction PMID 39861198) reported preservation of mushroom-type dendritic spines at 400 mcg/kg IP daily for 2 months.
Recovery
Proposed recovery support through vascular bioregulation; evidence limited to preclinical and small uncontrolled human studies.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- Mouse studies used 400 mcg/kg daily; the human trial did not report its dose in the English abstract.
- Frequency in studies
- Once daily during a course
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- Mouse dendritic-spine endpoints assessed after 2 months. Human biological-aging biomarker shifts assessed after a single Khavinson protocol course.
- Storage
- Lyophilized: 2-8°C. Reconstituted: 2-8°C, use within 7-10 days.
- Cycle length
- 2 months in the mouse 5xFAD model. Khavinson human observational studies typically reference 10-30 day courses.
- Break between cycles
- Khavinson gerontology protocols reference annual courses; no published evidence-based interval.
Interactions
This list shows which other bioregulator-class and vascular-research compounds scientists study alongside Vesugen, and flags pairings — including blood-vessel-affecting medications — that call for monitoring.
Reconstitution & storage
This describes the general laboratory approach for preparing a Vesugen research solution — reconstitution volume here is described as operator-dependent because no standardized human dose has been published.
- 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 because no human dose has been published; common community practice is 1-2 mL per 10 mg vial
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: 2-8°C, use within Per manufacturer expiration date
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within 7-10 days
Open the Vesugen reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the visual and documentation checks researchers use to confirm a Vesugen sample is genuine — including verifying the exact three-amino-acid sequence, since several similarly named short peptides exist in the same research family.
White lyophilized powder - Legitimate Vesugen appears as a white to off-white lyophilized powder. Discoloration, browning, or visible 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 Vesugen 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 KED - The Khavinson short-peptide family contains many similar tripeptides. Confirm the COA specifies Lys-Glu-Asp (KED), not KE (Vilon), KEDA (Livagen), or EDL (Ovagen).
Research-grade only - Vesugen is sold as a research compound or Russian dietary supplement, not as a pharmaceutical-grade drug. 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 the small existing literature reports at each stage of study — cell-culture findings within days, animal-model findings after months — research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
In vitro mechanistic effects (Ki-67, p21, FOXO1, GAP43) occur within 3-7 days of medium exposure.
Animal endpoints in the 2021 Alzheimer mouse model were assessed after 2 months of daily IP dosing. Biological aging marker shifts in the 32-patient observational study were assessed after a single Khavinson protocol course.
Safety notes
This section covers handling cautions and regulatory notes for Vesugen in a laboratory setting — it flags that no structured human safety study has been published and that one key animal paper carries a 2025 correction, research-use-only scope, not medical safety advice for people.
- No structured Phase I safety study has been published
- Contraindications and drug interactions have not been formally studied
- Pregnancy, lactation, renal or hepatic impairment, and pediatric use have not been studied; default to non-use in these populations
- Sold in Russia as a BAFS dietary supplement, not as a registered pharmaceutical
- Not FDA approved, no EMA marketing authorization, no ClinicalTrials.gov-registered studies
- The 2021 Pharmaceuticals mouse paper (PMID 34071923) has a published correction (PMID 39861198, January 2025)
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is Vesugen studied for in research?
Vesugen is a synthetic tripeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp, "KED") from the Khavinson bioregulator class. Its published evidence is mostly in-vitro and rodent work exploring vascular-endothelium markers such as endothelin-1, SIRT1, and senescence signals. The evidence is limited and largely uncontrolled; it is supplied strictly as a research-use-only reference material.
How is Vesugen reconstituted for laboratory use?
Because no human dosing protocol is published, reconstitution volume is operator-dependent for the study design. The vial is brought to room temperature, solvent is added slowly down the wall, and it is swirled — not shaken — until clear. It is then labeled and refrigerated for laboratory use only.
How should Vesugen be stored?
Lyophilized Vesugen is stored refrigerated at 2-8°C and protected from light. Once reconstituted, the short tripeptide is less stable and is typically used within about 7-10 days at 2-8°C. Keeping it cold limits breakdown across the research window, and cloudy solutions are discarded.
What does the research on Vesugen actually show?
The Vesugen evidence base is small — roughly a dozen indexed papers, mostly cell-culture and rodent studies plus two tiny uncontrolled human observational reports. One 2021 mouse neuroprotection paper carries a 2025 published correction. Findings should be read cautiously as preliminary research context, not as demonstrated outcomes.
References
KED restored hippocampal CA1 mushroom-type dendritic spine density toward control levels in 5xFAD transgenic mice. IMPORTANT: This paper has a published correction (PMID 39861198, January 2025).
KED normalized elevated endothelin-1 expression, restored connexin gap-junction expression, and upregulated SIRT1 in cultured vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells (single-laboratory finding without independent replication)
KED reduced E-selectin expression, increased Ki-67, and decreased p53 in vascular cell cultures and Wistar rat models