Vilon

Mechanism (as reported)

Vilon has been reported to induce deheterochromatinization (unrolling) of total heterochromatin and to activate reactivation of ribosomal gene-related synthetic processes via nucleolus organizer region deheterochromatinization in cultured lymphocytes from old people. In the same experimental framework, it was reported not to induce decondensation of pericentromeric structural heterochromatin, while it was reported to progressively activate (deheterochromatinize) facultative heterochromatin. (PMIDs: 15105581, 16705247)

Key findings (each cites a source)

• In a HER-2/neu transgenic mouse model of spontaneous mammary tumor development, treatment with Vilon (Lys-Glu) was associated with negative outcomes compared with control, including increased incidence of mammary cancer development, shorter mean latent period of tumors, and increased cumulative number of tumors. [PMID 12209581]
• In the same HER-2/neu transgenic mouse study, HER-2/neu mRNA expression was reported to be partially reduced in Vilon-treated mice but remained significantly higher in Vilon- than in Epithalon-treated animals. [PMID 12209581]
• In cultured lymphocytes from old people, research reported that Vilon induces unrolling (deheterochromatinization) of total heterochromatin, activates synthetic processes associated with reactivation of ribosomal genes via nucleolus organizer region deheterochromatinization, and releases genes repressed by condensation of euchromatic regions forming facultative heterochromatin. [PMID 15105581]
• In the same study of cultured lymphocytes from old people, Vilon was reported not to induce decondensation of pericentromeric structural heterochromatin. [PMID 15105581]
• In an overlapping investigation of synthetic peptide bioregulators in cultivated lymphocytes from old people, it was reported that Epitalon, Livagen, and Vilon (including Vilon) induce unrolling/deheterochromatinization of total heterochromatin and release genes repressed by heterochromatinization. [PMID 16705247]
• In cultured lymphocytes from old people, research reported that Vilon causes progressive activation (deheterochromatinization) of facultative heterochromatin with increased aging. [PMID 15105581]
• In a DNA-microarray study in mouse heart, Vilon was reported to change expression of 36 clones; it was also reported that Vilon alone or in combination with Epithalon activated expression of 157 clones (maximally by 6.13 times) and inhibited expression of 23 clones (maximally by 2.79 times). [PMID 12360356]
• In a rat urinary bladder carcinogenesis model induced with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine, research reported that vilon-treated animals had a lower incidence of tumors (56%) compared with controls (75.5%), and that vilon significantly inhibited carcinogenesis as well as decreased preneoplastic and early neoplastic changes in urinary bladder mucosa. [PMID 11586406]
• In rats with experimental chronic renal failure, research reported that subcutaneous Vilon significantly decreased serum transforming growth factor-beta(1) concentration and permeability of mesenteric microvessels at 2 months after onset of chronic renal failure. [PMID 16142267]