Short Peptides for Longevity & Nutrition: Vilon, Epithalon, and Gut Health
The Physiological Role of Peptides in Biological Regulation
Endogenous peptides are involved in generating a compensatory-adaptive response to stress and internal disorders. A disruption in peptide regulation inevitably impairs the transfer of information molecules between cells, leading to pathological conditions and reduced resistance to destabilizing factors.
Oligopeptides as Information Transmitters
Bioregulation is mediated by various oligopeptides that selectively transmit information between immune, nerve, and other cells. These informational messengers are formed via the partial protein hydrolysis of larger precursor proteins (such as growth factors and cytokines) near their corresponding receptor systems.
Key structural and functional insights include:
- The Power of Fragments: The entire protein molecule is not always necessary to influence physiological processes. Fragments consisting of 3 to 4 amino acid residues are sometimes even more effective than the native, larger compounds.
- Evolutionary Origin: Peptide hormones of the gastrointestinal tract, insulin, and pituitary hormones share a common evolutionary origin, underscoring their fundamental role in biological systems.
- Cellular Penetration: When polypeptides are processed (cleaved), their molecular properties, such as
hydrophobicity, can change significantly. This is a crucial step that allows the resulting peptide fragments to penetrate cell membranes and the blood-tissue barrier, enabling their regulatory function.
Peptides in Modern Nutrition and Absorption
Nutrition is one of the most critical environmental factors impacting human health and lifespan. Unfortunately, the intensive processing of industrial food leads to a significant reduction in vital biologically active substances, contributing to nutrient deficiency symptoms. This necessitates the search for alternative methods, such as utilizing biologically active substances from natural sources, including peptides.
Superior Absorption and Transport
The human organism has evolved to efficiently process peptides, not just free amino acids. The absorption of peptides arising from protein digestion is significantly faster than that of a mixture of free amino acids. The small intestine is equipped with di- and tri-peptide transporters that enable the rapid uptake of short peptides.
Furthermore, some short peptides are highly resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis (cleavage) in the gut. Peptides like
carnosine, glycyl sarcosine, and proline/hydroxyproline dipeptides often pass through the intestinal brush border intact and reach the portal vein whole, confirming their high nutritional value and ability to coordinate regulatory systems.
Clinical and Geroprotective Applications
Peptide-based drugs and supplements are being extensively studied for their therapeutic potential. Research has highlighted several specific short peptides with powerful effects on immunity, cognition, and aging.
1. Peptides for Stress and Malnutrition (Gln-Containing Dipeptides)
Adding Glutamine (Gln)-containing dipeptides—such as Ala-Gln and Gly-Gln—to parenteral nutrition helps prevent disorders caused by stress and malnutrition.
- Ala-Gln (Alanine-Glutamine): In surgical patients, it helps normalize nitrogen balance, maintain intracellular Glutamine levels, and restore the total number of peripheral blood lymphocytes and intestinal function.
- Gly-Gln (Glycine-Glutamine): In studies of H1N1-infected mice, it was shown to prevent lymphoid tissue atrophy in the small intestine and promote secretory immunity by increasing IgA levels in the intestine and respiratory tract lining.
2. Peptides for Cognitive Health (NLPR)
The tetrapeptide
Asn-Leu-Pro-Arg (NLPR) has shown promise in combating memory disorders. Oral administration of NLPR in rats with memory impairments increased cognitive abilities and behavioral reactions, primarily by inducing the expression of
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain.
3. Peptides for Aging and Cellular Regeneration (Geroprotection)
The accumulation of involution processes in the gastrointestinal tract during aging makes short peptide supplementation especially relevant.
- Carnosine ($\beta$-Ala-His): Based on its ability to bypass complete intracellular hydrolysis and its known antioxidant effect, carnosine is the basis for a dietary supplement with established geroprotective properties.
- Vilon (Lys-Glu) & Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly): These synthetic short peptides, constructed after analyzing peptide complexes from the thymus and pineal gland, respectively, are recognized as hydrolysis-resistant. They demonstrated remarkable effects in aging rats:
- Enzyme Activity: They normalize the activity of digestive enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract during aging.
- Nutrient Transport: They significantly improve the transport properties of the small intestine. Epithalon notably intensified the active absorption of glucose by up to 8 times in the medial parts of the small intestine.
- Functional Compensation: This suggests they can improve or normalize the functions of enzyme and transport systems of the small intestine during aging, leading to an improvement in food intake and digestion.
The Future of Integral Medicine
Short peptides are believed to have the ability to temporarily replace an impaired element of physiological regulation. This temporary support enables the organism to restore a reduced or lost function and maintain it long-term. Scientists hypothesize that this mechanism is primarily based on the peptides' ability to normalize protein biosynthesis in corresponding organs, thereby restoring cell receptors and normalizing cellular sensitivity to other humoral regulators.
The essential physiological role of peptides in nutrition is clear: they are invaluable components of dietary supplements at any age. They support normal metabolic processes, aid in rehabilitation after trauma and surgery, prevent or treat various diseases, and actively work to delay the aging process. The justified use of short peptides opens up new possibilities for the development of "integral medicine"—combining pharmaceutical food products with modern diagnostics for effective, safe maintenance of health and longevity.
Natural Ways to Increase Peptides
The attached visual guide highlights several key ways to support natural peptide levels and optimize their function:
- Dietary Sources: Incorporate protein-rich foods and eggs.
- Lifestyle Factors: Engage in active physical activity, manage stress/mood, and maintain good hydration.
- Gut Health: Focus on protein-releasing foods, as gut health is crucial for peptide cleavage and absorption.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Peptides
What is the fundamental physiological role of endogenous peptides?
Endogenous peptides are essential for coordinating homeostasis and forming a compensatory-adaptive response to stress and internal disorders. They act as information molecules that regulate biosynthesis and maintain the stable genetic composition of organ and tissue cells.
Why are short peptide fragments often more effective than native proteins?
Short peptide fragments, sometimes consisting of just 3-4 amino acid residues, can be more effective than the larger native compounds. The processing (cleavage) of longer polypeptides into these short fragments allows for significant changes in molecular properties, like increasing their hydrophobicity. This change is crucial as it enables the molecule to penetrate the cell membranes and the blood-tissue barrier more easily, enhancing their regulatory impact.
How does the body absorb peptides compared to free amino acids?
The transport of peptides that arise during digestion is realized significantly faster by intestinal regulation systems than the absorption of a mixture of free amino acids. The small intestine is specifically equipped with di- and tri-peptide transporters. Some short peptides, such as carnosine and glycyl sarcosine, are also resistant to complete hydrolysis and can reach the portal vein intact.
Which specific peptides show promise for anti-aging (geroprotection)?
The peptides Vilon (Lys-Glu) and Epithalon (Ala-Glu-Asp-Gly) are particularly promising geroprotective agents. They are classified as hydrolysis-resistant and have been shown to regulate enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract during aging. Specifically, they improved the transport properties of the small intestine in old rats, with Epithalon intensifying the active absorption of glucose by up to 8 times.
What is the proposed mechanism for how exogenous peptides restore function?
It is believed that when peptides are administered exogenously (as a supplement), they briefly replace the impaired element of physiological regulation. This enables the organism to restore the reduced or lost function. Scientists assume this mechanism is based on the peptides' ability to normalize protein biosynthesis in the target organs, which in turn restores cell receptor sensitivity to other natural humoral regulators.
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