Cortagen
Also known as: AEDP Peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, Cardiovascular Bioregulator
Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation as a cardioprotective and vascular bioregulator. It stimulates repair of cardiac and vascular tissue, with demonstrated benefits for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiac aging.
Half-Life
Short peptide half-life; gene regulatory effects persist beyond peptide clearance
Route
SubQ, IM, Oral
Category
Anti-Aging & Longevity, Recovery & Repair
Studies
12 references
Key Benefits
- Cardioprotective — protects cardiac tissue from ischemic damage
- Promotes cardiac regeneration and repair
- Improves vascular endothelium function
- Reduces atherosclerosis progression
- Anti-aging effect on heart muscle cells
- Improves cardiac output and exercise capacity
- Reduces oxidative stress in cardiovascular tissue
- May reduce arrhythmia frequency
Mechanism of Action
Cortagen is a short regulatory peptide that acts on cardiac myocytes, vascular endothelium, and smooth muscle cells. It stimulates gene expression related to cell survival, antioxidant defense, and tissue remodeling. Cortagen promotes angiogenesis in ischemic cardiac tissue, reduces cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and activates cardiac progenitor cells. It also modulates lipid metabolism and reduces oxidative stress in vascular endothelium. In animal studies, it reduced myocardial infarction size and improved cardiac function post-infarction.
Dosing Protocols
Cardiovascular Restoration Protocol
- Dose
- 10 mg SC or IM daily
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Timing
- Morning
- Cycle
- 10-day course, 1–2x per year
Standard Russian bioregulator protocol; best combined with lifestyle modification and standard cardiovascular care
Prevention / Anti-aging Protocol
- Dose
- 5–10 mg SC
- Frequency
- Daily for 10 days
- Timing
- Morning
- Cycle
- 1–2 courses per year
Prophylactic use in those with cardiovascular risk factors; may reduce future events
Calculate your draw volume
Enter your vial size and BAC water to get exact injection volumes
Side Effects
- Excellent safety profile
- Mild injection site reactions
- Rare: transient hypotension
- Rare: mild arrhythmia at initiation in cardiac patients
Contraindications
Use with caution in severe cardiac arrhythmia (monitor). Coordinate with cardiologist in post-MI setting. Insufficient data in severe heart failure (EF < 20%).
Storage
Store lyophilized at 2–8°C. Reconstituted solution: use within 24–48 hours. Protect from light.
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Clinical Research
- 1.EPIGENETIC MODIFICATION UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PEPTIDE BIOREGULATORS ON THE "OLD" CHROMATIN
Lezhava T, Jokhadze T, Monaselidze J, Buadze T, Gaiozishvili M, Sigua T et al. · Georgian medical news · 2023PubMed Verified
- 2.Neuroprotective Effects of Peptides during Ischemic Preconditioning
Zarubina IV, Shabanov PD · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2016PubMed Verified
- 3.Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processes
Kozina LS · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2007PubMed Verified
- 4.Production of lymphocyte-activating factors by mouse macrophages during aging and under the effect of short peptides
Gumen AV, Kozinets IA, Shanin SN, Malinin VV, Rybakina EG · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2006PubMed Verified
- 5.Synthesis of IL-2 mRNA in cells of rat hypothalamic structures after injection of short peptides
Kazakova TB, Barabanova SV, Novikova NS, Glushikhina MS, Khavinson VKh, Malinin VV et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2005PubMed Verified
- 6.Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray
Anisimov SV, Khavinson VKh, Anisimov VN · Neuro endocrinology letters · 2004PubMed Verified
- 7.Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjects
Khavinson VKh, Lezhava TA, Malinin VV · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2004PubMed Verified
- 8.In vitro effect of short peptides on expression of interleukin-2 gene in splenocytes
Kazakova TB, Barabanova SV, Khavinson VKh, Glushikhina MS, Parkhomenko EP, Malinin VV et al. · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified
- 9.Effects of short peptides on thymocyte blast transformation and signal transduction along the sphingomyelin pathway
Khavinson VKh, Rybakina EG, Malinin VV, Pivanovich IY, Shanin SN, Korneva EA · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2002PubMed Verified
- 10.The delayed effect of cortagen on the restoration of injured nerve function
Kolosova LI, Moiseeva AB, Turchaninova LN, Malinin VV, Polyakov EL, Nozdrachev AD et al. · Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections · 2002PubMed Verified
- 11.Tissue-specific effects of peptides
Khavinson VK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2001PubMed Verified
- 12.Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nerve
Turchaninova LN, Kolosova LI, Malinin VV, Moiseeva AB, Nozdrachev AD, Khavinson VK · Bulletin of experimental biology and medicine · 2000PubMed Verified
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Many compounds listed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any protocol.
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