Synthetic tetrapeptide epitalon restores disturbed neuroendocrine regulation in senescent monkeys

Khavinson V, Goncharova N, Lapin B. Neuroendocrinol Lett. 2001.

Organ: pineal-circadian · Type: in-vivo · Peptides: Epitalon

In aged female rhesus monkeys, ten days of Epitalon raised evening melatonin and the authors report a more normal cortisol circadian pattern; young animals showed little change.

Editorial summary of a 2001 short original article in Neuroendocrinology Letters. Non-human primate work. Public pages cite PubMed only. Read the paper: PMID 11524632.

Methods

Six young (6–8 years) and six senescent (20–26 years) female Macaca mulatta from the Adler Primatological Center. After a three-week adaptation, animals received intramuscular Epitalon 10 µg in 1 ml, or saline placebo, at 09:00 for ten days (n = 3 per age × treatment). Lighting was on from 08:00 to 19:00 (June–July). On day 10, heparinized blood was taken at 09:00 and 21:00. Plasma melatonin, cortisol, DHEA/DHEAS, thyroxine, estradiol, and progesterone were measured by immunoassay.

Findings

The authors report that evening melatonin in senescent controls was about half that of young controls, with a remaining night-over-morning difference in both ages. In senescent monkeys given Epitalon, evening melatonin rose more than threefold versus senescent placebo (p < 0.001). Young animals showed no significant melatonin change. The authors interpret an accompanying correction of the cortisol day–night pattern in the old group as restoration of circadian endocrine timing. They report no significant effect on basal DHEA, DHEAS, estradiol, progesterone, or thyroxine.

This is a small in-vivo series in twelve monkeys. It is not a clinical trial, not a human dosing guide, and not a product claim. Independent replication and human evidence are separate questions. Follow the PMID.