Compounds / Vilon
Vilon
Also known as: KE; Lys-Glu; KE dipeptide; Khavinson immune bioregulator; Vilon dipeptide
Primary research focus: Immune and longevity research (Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator)
Last updated July 2026 · Reviewed against FDA labeling and published research.
What is Vilon?
Vilon is a synthetic dipeptide (Lys-Glu, or KE) from the Khavinson family of short-peptide bioregulators, developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. It is the smallest member of the family (just two amino acids) and the thymus- and immune-directed one, derived conceptually from the thymus preparation Thymalin. It is one of the most-studied Khavinson peptides in longevity research, with reported lifespan effects in animals. It is a research compound with no FDA approval and no completed Western clinical trials.
Khavinson short peptides are proposed to cross cell and nuclear membranes and bind specific DNA sequences, modulating tissue-specific gene expression rather than acting through cell-surface receptors. This mechanism is class-level, derives largely from a single research program, and has limited independent Western replication; treat it as a working hypothesis rather than established fact. For Vilon, the proposed activity is in thymic and immune cells, with reported effects on T-cell function, immune surveillance, and immune aging. Notably, published work from the Khavinson group reports that the KE dipeptide regulates SIRT1, PARP1, and PARP2 gene expression and protein synthesis in aging human mesenchymal stem cells, which links it to sirtuin and DNA-repair pathways central to mainstream longevity biology. It has also been studied alongside Epitalon, Thymogen, Thymalin, and Chonluten as a regulator of inflammatory and proliferative processes in the human monocyte and macrophage THP-1 cell line.
How it’s supplied
Not an FDA-approved or commercially manufactured medicine. It is sold as a research-grade lyophilized powder (commonly 20 mg vials) for reconstitution, and in some markets as oral capsules. Research-grade products are not FDA-reviewed for potency or sterility.
Dosage Chart
Units shown are for a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 mL), calculated from the vial size and BAC water you select. Always confirm against your prescription and your syringe markings.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | 100mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Day 2 | 150mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Day 3 | 200mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Day 4 | 250mcg | 1x Daily | — |
| Day 5 | 300mcg | 1x Daily | — |
- Rotate injection sites to reduce irritation and lipohypertrophy
- Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Do not exceed the recommended dose to try to speed results
- Repeat 5-day cycle once each month
Potential Benefits and Side Effects
Effects reported in published research. Not a promise of results, and not medical advice.
- Reported in preclinical research within the Khavinson tradition; not established in Western controlled trials.
- Reported extension of maximum lifespan in mice given Vilon throughout life.
- Reported immunomodulatory effects, including support of T-cell function and immune surveillance in aging models.
- Reported regulation of SIRT1, PARP1, and PARP2 gene expression in aging human mesenchymal stem cells.
- Reported effects in retinal and neuronal regeneration models.
- Reported regulation of inflammatory and proliferative processes in monocyte and macrophage models.
- No robust human adverse-effect data are available.
- The Khavinson short-peptide class is reported to have a clean safety profile in Russian use, but this is not established by Western trials for Vilon specifically.
- Human tolerability and long-term safety are unknown.
Warnings and contraindications
Important safety information. This is not exhaustive — read the full prescribing information and consult your prescriber or pharmacist.
- No FDA-approved labeling exists; the following reflect the compound's status and the limits of its evidence, not established label warnings.
- There are no completed Western human clinical trials of Vilon; its human safety and efficacy profile is not established.
- The proposed DNA-binding mechanism is class-level and not independently well-replicated outside the originating program.
- Reported lifespan-extension findings come from rodent studies within the originating program; lifespan claims in humans are not supported by any evidence.
- Modulating immune function warrants caution in autoimmune disease, organ transplantation, and immunosuppressive therapy.
- Research-grade material varies in identity and purity; safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been studied.
- Not established; no FDA-approved labeling. Precautionary considerations include known hypersensitivity to the peptide, and caution where altering immune balance could be harmful.
Reconstitution Steps
How to prepare the lyophilized vial. Confirm specifics with your pharmacist or prescriber.
- Confirm the amount of peptide in the vial and the volume of diluent you intend to use before starting.
- Wash your hands and gather supplies: the lyophilized vial, the diluent (typically bacteriostatic water), an alcohol swab, and a sterile syringe.
- Let the vial and diluent reach room temperature if they were refrigerated or frozen.
- Wipe the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and the diluent vial with a fresh alcohol swab and let them air dry.
- Draw the intended diluent volume into the syringe.
- Insert the needle into the vial and slowly release the diluent down the inside wall rather than directly onto the powder, to avoid foaming.
- Do not shake. Gently swirl or roll the vial until fully dissolved.
- Inspect the solution: it should be clear and colorless with no visible particles. Do not use if cloudy or containing particles.
- Note the resulting concentration (amount divided by diluent volume) so it matches the reconstitution calculator on this page.
- Label the vial with the reconstitution date and store as directed under reconstituted storage.
US regulatory status
Classifications are public record but can change. For reference only, not legal advice.
Development: Vilon is the immune- and thymus-directed member of the Khavinson short-peptide bioregulator family and, as a dipeptide, the smallest. It is the defined synthetic counterpart to the thymus extract Thymalin within the program's extract-to-peptide lineage. It is among the most-studied compounds in the family for longevity: Khavinson-group animal work reports that mice given Vilon throughout life showed extended maximum lifespan, and separate published work reports that the KE dipeptide regulates SIRT1, PARP1, and PARP2 expression in aging human mesenchymal stem cells, connecting it to sirtuin and DNA-repair biology. It has also featured in retinal and neuronal regeneration studies within the Russian literature and in monocyte/macrophage inflammation models. Within the Khavinson model of aging as parallel cellular, immune, and vascular decline, Vilon represents the immune track alongside Epitalon and Vesugen. Independent Western replication remains sparse, and there is no FDA approval, no public IND, and no registered Western clinical trial.
Notes: Vilon is not FDA-approved and has no recognized clinical use in the US. It is not on the FDA 503A bulk drug substances list and has no approval or shortage basis for compounding, so it is not eligible for 503A or 503B compounding. It is sold as a research-grade chemical; such products are not FDA-reviewed for safety, potency, or sterility. It is not a controlled substance.
International status
Pharmacokinetics
Storage and handling
Important Notes
Practical considerations for consistency and safety.
- Vilon is a dipeptide (Lys-Glu), the smallest of the Khavinson bioregulators, and the structural core that Vesugen, Testagen, Livagen, and Prostamax extend.
- Its most interesting reported finding for Western readers is that the KE dipeptide regulates SIRT1, PARP1, and PARP2 in aging human mesenchymal stem cells, connecting it to mainstream longevity pathways.
- Reported lifespan extension is from rodent studies within the originating program; no human lifespan evidence exists.
- Its thymus-extract counterpart is Thymalin, and its dipeptide relative from the same program is Thymogen (Glu-Trp); these are different products.
- The evidence base is preclinical and largely Russian, with limited independent replication.
Lifestyle Factors
- Khavinson bioregulators are typically studied in short cyclic courses, often seasonally, rather than continuous daily use.
- Human lifestyle interactions are unstudied for Vilon.
References
Related compounds
Important disclaimer
This page is an educational reference, not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment recommendation, and not a substitute for your prescriber or pharmacist. Approval and regulatory status varies by compound and can change. Always confirm against current prescribing information and consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decision about a medication.