What it is
Livagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala, also written KEDA) from the Khavinson family of short peptide bioregulators, and an extended analog of Vilon (Lys-Glu). Research on it describes effects on chromatin decondensation in lymphocytes and on immune function with aging. Chromatin is the packaged form of DNA inside the cell nucleus. Independent Western replication is very limited.
In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under immune and skin anti-aging.
How it's thought to work
Livagen is proposed to enter cells and interact with chromatin, decondensing heterochromatin (tightly packed chromatin) in lymphocytes and thereby influencing gene expression associated with immune cell function. In laboratory studies on lymphocytes cultured from older donors, it was reported to induce reactivation of condensed chromatin regions. The mechanism remains largely a proposal from one research lineage.
What the research says
The published work consists mainly of laboratory experiments on cultured human lymphocytes, in which Livagen and related peptide bioregulators were reported to alter chromatin condensation in cells from donors aged 75 to 91. No clinical trials of Livagen were found for this page. Independent replication is scarce, and Livagen is not FDA-approved.
Reported side effects
The PeptidesAI encyclopedia lists minimal reported effects and occasional injection site irritation. No human safety studies of Livagen were found for this page, and independent safety data is limited.
Reconstitution
Livagen is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 5 mg and 10 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.
Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 5 mL of BAC water, that works out to 5,000 mcg ÷ 5 mL = 1,000 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 1,000 × 0.01 = 10 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
Livagen is a Khavinson bioregulator and is not FDA-approved. The evidence base comes largely from a single research group.
Sources
- Activation of pericentromeric and telomeric heterochromatin in cultured lymphocytes from old individuals.. Lezhava T et al. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2007. Preclinical
- EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN.. Lezhava T et al. Georgian Medical News, 2023. Preclinical
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is Livagen?
A synthetic tetrapeptide (Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala) from the Khavinson family of short peptide bioregulators and an extended analog of Vilon.
How is Livagen thought to work?
It is proposed to enter cells and interact with chromatin, decondensing heterochromatin in lymphocytes and influencing gene expression tied to immune cell function. The mechanism remains largely a proposal from one research lineage.
What does the research on Livagen say?
Laboratory experiments on cultured lymphocytes from older donors report changes in chromatin condensation. No clinical trials were found, and independent replication is scarce.
What are the reported side effects of Livagen?
Minimal effects and occasional injection site irritation are listed. No human safety studies were found, and independent safety data is limited.
How much is one unit from a 5 mg Livagen vial?
With 5 mL of BAC water, a 5 mg vial is 1,000 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 10 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Livagen — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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