Cardiogen
Cardiogen (AEDR) is a synthetic tetrapeptide bioregulator that modulates fibroblast activity in cardiac tissue, studied for its cardioprotective effects and potential anti-tumor properties. Research suggests it may improve outcomes in heart failure, hypertension, and sarcoma through regulation of apoptosis and tissue remodeling pathways.
Cardiogen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg) classified as a bioregulatory peptide with primary effects on cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes. Its research focus spans cardiovascular disease, where it appears to reduce pathological fibrosis and enhance standard treatments, as well as preliminary anti-tumor applications in sarcoma models.
Overview
Cardiogen is one of several short bioregulatory peptides developed through research at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Its primary effects center on fibroblasts, the cells responsible for tissue repair and scar formation throughout the body. While its name reflects a cardiovascular focus, the peptide's ability to modulate fibroblast activity has shown potential across multiple tissue types, including prostate and tumor tissue. Cardiogen also demonstrates synergistic properties when combined with established cardiovascular therapies, potentially improving long-term outcomes while reducing side effects.
Mechanism of Action
Cardiogen modulates several key molecular pathways in fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes. In cardiac tissue, it stimulates cardiomyocyte proliferation while suppressing excessive fibroblast growth, leading to reduced scar formation and improved cardiac remodeling. The peptide decreases p53 protein expression in heart cells, thereby diminishing rates of apoptosis and promoting cell survival in ischemic conditions.
In tumor cells, cardiogen appears to exert an opposite effect, enhancing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. This selectivity may relate to differences in vascular supply between healthy and tumor tissues.
Cardiogen also regulates the expression of signaling factors in prostate fibroblasts, including cytokines and growth factors associated with the tumor microenvironment. These factors are known to become dysregulated during cellular senescence, potentially contributing to age-related cancer development.
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Cardiogen
Cardiogen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg) classified as a bioregul
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Research
Cardiac Protection and Remodeling
In the heart, cardiogen stimulates cardiomyocyte proliferation while reducing fibroblast overgrowth, leading to decreased scar formation and improved long-term outcomes in cardiac remodeling. Studies in myocardial tissue cultures from young and old rats demonstrated that cardiogen, along with individual amino acids, significantly influenced tissue development and cellular repair processes (Chalisova et al., 2009).
Anti-Tumor Effects
Research in rat models of M-1 sarcoma showed that cardiogen administration increased apoptosis levels in tumor cells in a dose-dependent fashion, suggesting a genuine biological anti-tumor effect. Levdik & Knyazkin (2009) demonstrated this tumor-modifying potential in senescent rats, positioning cardiogen as a candidate for sarcoma treatment research.
Prostate Fibroblast Regulation
Solid evidence indicates that cardiogen normalizes the synthesis of signaling molecules in aging prostate fibroblasts to levels matching or exceeding those seen in young cell cultures. This is significant because dysregulated fibroblast signaling creates a favorable microenvironment for tumor development and progression. Research on aging fibroblasts has shown that molecules like CXCL12 are overexpressed during senescence, promoting epithelial proliferation in the prostate (Begley et al., 2005). Cardiogen's ability to normalize these signaling factors suggests potential applications in both prevention and management of prostate cancer.
Kheifets et al. (2010) further demonstrated peptidergic regulation of fibroblast differentiation signal factors in the human prostate gland during cellular aging, confirming the molecular targets through which cardiogen operates.
Safety Profile
Cardiogen has been studied primarily in cell cultures and animal models. In these settings, no significant adverse effects have been reported. The peptide demonstrates tissue-selective activity, reducing apoptosis in cardiac cells while enhancing it in tumor cells, which may indicate a favorable therapeutic index. However, human clinical safety data remains limited, and no formal toxicology studies have been published in peer-reviewed literature.
Pharmacokinetic Profile
- Half-life
- Minutes (short peptide); effects persist via epigenetic changes
Quick Start
- Typical Dose
- 10-20 mg daily
- Frequency
- Once daily for 10-20 consecutive days
- Route
- Oral, Subcutaneous
- Cycle Length
- 10-20 days per cycle
- Storage
- Capsules: room temperature; Injectable lyophilized: 2-8°C; Reconstituted: 2-8°C refrigerated
Molecular Structure
- Formula
- C18H31N7O9
- Weight
- 460 Da
- Length
- 4 amino acids
- CAS
- Not available
- PubChem CID
- 11583989
- Exact Mass
- 489.2183 Da
- LogP
- -6.3
- TPSA
- 290 Ų
- H-Bond Donors
- 9
- H-Bond Acceptors
- 11
- Rotatable Bonds
- 16
- Complexity
- 799
Identifiers (SMILES, InChI)
InChI=1S/C18H31N7O9/c1-8(19)14(30)23-9(4-5-12(26)27)15(31)25-11(7-13(28)29)16(32)24-10(17(33)34)3-2-6-22-18(20)21/h8-11H,2-7,19H2,1H3,(H,23,30)(H,24,32)(H,25,31)(H,26,27)(H,28,29)(H,33,34)(H4,20,21,22)/t8-,9-,10-,11-/m0/s1
QXQARLZWUIQZPX-NAKRPEOUSA-NResearch Indications
Cardiovascular Support
Supports heart tissue repair through gene expression regulation at the nuclear level.
May improve overall myocardial function and cardiac performance.
Addresses age-related cardiovascular decline through bioregulation.
Anti-Aging
Influences gene expression to support tissue repair without altering DNA sequence.
Promotes cardiac tissue regeneration at the cellular level.
Research Protocols
oral
Available in capsule form for oral administration. Short peptides can be absorbed orally and reach target tissues. Typical protocol involves 10-20 day cycles, often repeated 2-3 times per year.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard protocol | 10-20 mg | Daily for 10-20 days | —(Route: Oral capsules) |
subcutaneous Injection
Injectable form available for direct administration, bypassing GI tract.
| Goal | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research protocol | 10 mg | Daily for 10 days | —(Route: IM or SubQ) |
Reconstitution Guide (mg vial + mL BAC water)
- Clean work area thoroughly
- Reconstitute with appropriate volume
- Gently swirl until dissolved
- Store reconstituted solution refrigerated
Interactions
Peptide Interactions
Complementary cardiovascular bioregulators - Cardiogen for heart, Vesugen for vessels.
Often combined in comprehensive anti-aging Khavinson protocols.
Different organ targets; can be used in comprehensive bioregulator protocols.
Part of Khavinson bioregulator family; targets different tissue.
What to Expect
What to Expect
Gene expression modulation begins
Effects persist due to epigenetic changes
Cardiovascular function improvements
Cumulative benefits with periodic cycles
Safety Profile
Common Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated
- Minimal side effects reported
Contraindications
- Active cardiac emergencies (seek medical care)
- Known hypersensitivity
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Discontinue If
- Allergic reactions
- Unusual cardiac symptoms
Quality Indicators
What to look for
- White powder or capsules
- Clear solution if reconstituted
- Proper packaging and labeling
Caution
- Unknown source or purity
Red flags
- Discoloration
- Unusual odor
- Damaged packaging
Frequently Asked Questions
References (8)
- [2][Levdik NV & Knyazkin IV (2009). Tumor-modifying effect of cardiogen peptide on M-1 sarcoma in senescent rats. Bull Exp Biol Med (2009)
- [1]Peptide Regulation of Gene Expression: A Systematic Review (2021)
- [2]Cardiogen Bioregulator Research (2015)
- [3]Khavinson Peptide Bioregulators Overview (2020)
- [1]Chalisova NI et al. (2009). The effect of the amino acids and cardiogen on the development of myocard tissue culture from young and old rats. Adv Gerontol (Uspekhi Gerontol) (2009)
- [3][Begley L et al. (2005). CXCL12 overexpression and secretion by aging fibroblasts enhance human prostate epithelial proliferation in vitro. Aging Cell (2005)
- [4]Kheifets OV, Poliakova VO, Kvetnoĭ IM (2010). Peptidergic regulation of the expression of signal factors of fibroblast differentiation in the human prostate gland in cell aging. Adv Gerontol (Uspekhi Gerontol) (2010)
- [5][Ashapkin V et al. (2020). Gene expression in human mesenchymal stem cell aging cultures: modulation by short peptides. Mol Biol Rep (2020)
CAR Peptide
CAR peptide is a cell-penetrating STAT3-inhibiting peptide with research applications in cancer, neuroinflammation, and autoimmune conditions, blocking STAT3 dimerization and transcriptional activity.
Cartalax
Cartalax (AED) is a synthetic tripeptide bioregulator that modulates fibroblast function across multiple tissues, studied for its geroprotective effects on skin, cartilage, and kidney tissue. Research demonstrates it increases cell proliferation and reduces senescence markers through regulation of Ki-67, p53, and SIRT-6 pathways.