Livagen is the liver tetrapeptide of the Khavinson bioregulator family: Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (KEDA), synthesised from the amino-acid composition of liver polypeptide preparations [1]. It attracts two audiences: longevity users interested in its “chromatin-reactivating” papers, and performance users who want liver support during oral steroid or alcohol exposure.
My verdict: Livagen has some of the more unusual laboratory data in this family, mostly on chromatin in aging white blood cells, and no evidence at all that it protects or repairs a human liver.
The peptide bioregulators overview explains the class.
At a Glance
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (KEDA), synthetic tetrapeptide |
| Origin | Khavinson group; derived from liver polypeptide preparations |
| Proposed mechanism | Decondensation of age-condensed chromatin, reactivation of ribosomal genes (lymphocyte studies); effects on hepatocyte protein synthesis (rat cells) |
| Marketed for | Liver support, “detox”, metabolic and longevity stacks |
| Route | SC injection (research vials); oral liver products in the family are Ovagen (Cytogen) and Svetinorm (Cytomax) |
| Typical dose range | 250 µg–2 mg SC daily for 10–20 days (practice protocols) |
| Evidence level | Limited: in-vitro and rat studies from groups linked to the developers |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA- or EMA-approved; research chemical; not named by WADA, falls under S0 |
How it works
Livagen’s most cited work comes from a Georgian group collaborating with Khavinson. In cultured lymphocytes from people aged 75–91, Livagen unrolled condensed heterochromatin, reactivated ribosomal genes in the nucleolus organiser regions and released genes silenced by age-related condensation [2][3][4]. In rat hepatocyte cultures it increased protein synthesis, most in cells from old animals [1]. A Russian review summarises hepatoprotective claims for Livagen and a natural liver polypeptide complex in rodent models of fibrosis and hepatitis [5].
Two other findings matter to anyone thinking about oral use. Livagen is barely broken down by small-intestine peptidases, and after two weeks of oral dosing in rats, digestive enzyme activity in old animals moved towards young levels [6]. In human serum in vitro, Livagen inhibited enkephalin-degrading enzymes more strongly than some standard peptidase inhibitors [7], which hints at effects well outside the liver.
What the evidence shows
Human studies
No clinical trial. The “human” data are test-tube experiments on blood cells taken from older people [2][3][4], not people taking Livagen.
Animal and cell studies
| Study | Model | Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Khavinson et al. 2004 [2] | Lymphocytes from people aged 75–88 | Livagen and four other peptides activated ribosomal genes and decondensed chromatin |
| Lezhava et al. 2006 [3] | Same model | Chromatin reactivation with Livagen, Epitalon and Vilon |
| Lezhava and Jokhadze 2007 [4] | Lymphocytes from people aged 80–91 | Livagen reversed age-related heterochromatinization |
| Brodskii et al. 2001 [1] | Rat hepatocyte cultures | Higher protein synthesis, most in old cells |
| Timofeeva et al. 2005 [6] | Rats, oral Livagen for 2 weeks | Resistant to intestinal digestion; digestive enzymes in old rats shifted towards young levels |
| Kost et al. 2003 [7] | Human serum, in vitro | Inhibited enkephalin-degrading enzymes |
Chromatin “loosening” in a dish is a long way from healthier tissue in a person, and the same group has reported similar effects for almost every peptide it tested.
Dosing
For informational purposes only — this summarises doses used in research and practice; it is not a prescription or individual medical advice.
| Goal | Dose | Route | Frequency / timing | Cycle length | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liver support course | 1–2 mg | SC injection | Once daily | 10–20 days (one 20 mg vial), 1–3 courses a year | Practice protocol for the class (r/peptidebioregulators, ZyraTrack forum) |
| Cautious start with titration | 250 µg, rising to 500 µg | SC injection | Once daily | Not stated; liver tests checked before and after | Anecdotal (eRoids forum) |
| Low-dose vendor protocol | 100–200 µg | SC injection | Once daily | 10–30 days | Practice protocol (sister-peptide protocols on MyPeptideMatch and ZyraTrack) |
| “Organ insurance” while on steroids | Livagen + Vesugen | SC injection | Daily | 10-day courses every few months | Anecdotal (Steroidsgrabber forum) |
| Oral liver alternative (Ovagen, Cytogen) | 1–2 capsules | Oral, with meals | Twice daily | 1 month, repeat after 3–6 months | Label (NPCRIZ Europe Ovagen directions) |
For technique, see the peptide injection guide.
What people report: what works and what doesn’t
Reported to work
- Some users running Livagen and Vesugen during steroid cycles say their bloodwork “looked a bit cleaner” after several courses, without giving values (Steroidsgrabber forum).
Mixed or unclear
- Users who start Livagen for liver values typically plan before-and-after blood tests, but follow-up results are rarely posted (eRoids forum).
Reported not to work / disappointing
- In the same threads, others report no noticeable effect from organ bioregulator rotations and question the cost.
A useful trial would measure ALT, liver fat (MRI-PDFF) or fibrosis scores against placebo in people with fatty liver disease.
Safety and side effects
- No human safety data.
- Abnormal liver tests need a diagnosis. Fatty liver, alcohol, viral hepatitis, medications and iron overload all have specific treatments.
- Oral anabolic steroids are hepatotoxic; there is no evidence that Livagen offsets this.
- Opioid-system effects: the enkephalinase inhibition seen in vitro [7] is unexplored in people.
- Product quality: unregulated vials vary in content and sterility.
Legal and regulatory status
- US: not FDA-approved; “research use only” products are not approved for human use.
- EU / Germany: not authorised as a medicine by the EMA or BfArM.
- Sport: not named on the WADA 2026 list; falls under S0.
How it fits
Ovagen is the oral liver bioregulator, with a different and equally thin evidence base. For liver health, weight loss, alcohol reduction and treating metabolic disease have strong evidence; see rapamycin and liver metabolic health for one research-stage angle.
Related Articles
- Peptide Bioregulators: The Khavinson Protocol and What the Evidence Shows
- Epithalon: Telomerase Activation and Anti-Aging
- The Hallmarks of Aging
- How to Inject Peptides: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Peptide Safety: What You Need to Know
Frequently asked questions
What is Livagen?
Livagen is the synthetic tetrapeptide Lys-Glu-Asp-Ala (KEDA), designed by Khavinson's group from the amino-acid analysis of liver polypeptide preparations.
Does Livagen improve liver enzymes or fatty liver?
There are no human data. Rat studies and test-tube work exist, but no study has measured ALT, AST, liver fat or fibrosis in people taking Livagen.
What is the difference between Livagen and Ovagen?
Livagen is the tetrapeptide KEDA, usually sold as an injectable vial. Ovagen is the tripeptide EDL, sold as Cytogen capsules for the liver and gut. Their published research is different and both are thin.
What dose of Livagen do people use?
Reported injectable protocols range from 250–500 µg to 1–2 mg SC once daily for 10–20 days. None comes from a human trial.
Is Livagen safe for the liver?
Unknown. No human safety data exist. Anyone with abnormal liver tests needs a diagnosis rather than a peptide.
References
- Brodskii VIa, Khavinson VKh, Zolotarev IuA, et al. Rhythm of protein synthesis in cultures of hepatocytes from rats of different ages. Norm and effect of the peptide livagen (in Russian). Izv Akad Nauk Ser Biol. 2001. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15926314/
- Khavinson VKh, Lezhava TA, Malinin VV. Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjects. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2004. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15085253/
- Lezhava T, Monaselidze J, Kadotani T, et al. Anti-aging peptide bioregulators induce reactivation of chromatin. Georgian Med News. 2006. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16705247/
- Lezhava T, Jokhadze T. Activation of pericentromeric and telomeric heterochromatin in cultured lymphocytes from old individuals. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17460203/
- Kuznik BI, Khasanova NB, Ryzhak GA, et al. The influence of polypeptide liver complex and tetrapeptide KEDA on organism physiological function in norm and age-related pathology (in Russian). Adv Gerontol. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32362099/
- Timofeeva NM, Khavinson VKh, Malinin VV, et al. Effect of peptide Livagen on activity of digestive enzymes in gastrointestinal tract and non-digestive organs in rats of different ages (in Russian). Adv Gerontol. 2005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16075683/
- Kost NV, Sokolov OIu, Gabaeva MV, et al. Effect of new peptide bioregulators livagen and epitalon on enkephalin-degrading enzymes in human serum (in Russian). Izv Akad Nauk Ser Biol. 2003. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12942748/
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a prescription or individual medical advice. Livagen is not approved by the FDA or the EMA.
