Cardiogen
What it is
Cardiogen is a short synthetic peptide, commonly described as the tetrapeptide alanine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, arginine (Ala-Glu-Asp-Arg, or AEDR). It belongs to the Khavinson family of short peptide bioregulators, a group of tissue-associated peptides that came out of Russian gerontology research and are often described as tissue-selective.
Research context and categorization
Cardiogen is grouped under the Khavinson bioregulator category, and within that group it is described as a heart or cardiovascular tissue bioregulator. In neutral research terms, it is studied in the context of cardiomyocyte function and cardiac cellular homeostasis, and it is commonly discussed in relation to the general Khavinson hypothesis that very short peptide sequences may interact with regions of DNA in a tissue-associated way and influence gene transcription.
It is investigated for laboratory topics such as cardiac cell metabolic and mitochondrial activity, fibroblast behavior and extracellular matrix components like collagen and elastin, oxidative stress responses in cardiac tissue models, and questions around cardiac aging and tissue repair. These uses are investigational. They are described mainly in preclinical, in vitro, and animal-model settings, and they are not confirmed or approved outcomes. Cardiogen is not an FDA-approved drug, and no cardiovascular benefit in humans should be assumed from this research framing.
Status
- Regulatory status: Research-only, not FDA-approved. It is handled as a research chemical and is not approved for any therapeutic indication.
- Sport status: Not specifically listed on the WADA Prohibited List by name. Athletes should note that WADA categories such as S0 (non-approved substances) and S2 (peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics) use broad catch-all language, so the absence of a name does not by itself guarantee permitted status. Confirm current standing with the official WADA Prohibited List or an anti-doping organization.
Reconstitution notes (general)
Concentration equals the milligrams of peptide in the vial divided by the millilitres of bacteriostatic water added. For example, a 20 mg vial reconstituted with 3 mL of bacteriostatic water gives about 6.67 mg/mL, and the same vial with 2 mL gives 10 mg/mL. To work out a target concentration for any fill volume, use the calculator at our reconstitution and blend calculators.
Dilution and handling notes (compound-specific)
Cardiogen is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder, typically in 20 mg vials. As a small, hydrophilic short peptide it dissolves readily in bacteriostatic water or a suitable aqueous buffer and generally does not need aggressive mixing. A common range is roughly 2 to 3 mL of bacteriostatic water per 20 mg vial, which lands the solution between about 6.67 and 10 mg/mL. That volume is mostly a matter of the concentration a lab wants to work with rather than a solubility limit.
Add the water slowly, aiming the stream down the inside wall of the vial rather than directly onto the powder, since a slow wall-directed addition reduces foaming and protects the peptide from mechanical stress. Let the vial rest and swirl or roll it gently to finish dissolving, rather than shaking. Because it is not a large or aggregation-prone peptide, Cardiogen does not have a strong tendency to gel or precipitate at these dilutions. A solution that stays cloudy, develops floaters, or fails to clear after reasonable swirling points to a handling or material problem and should be treated as a quality flag rather than forced with heat or hard shaking.
Handling and storage
Store the lyophilized powder dry, dark, and cold, ideally frozen, until use. After reconstitution, refrigerate at 2 to 8 C, keep it out of light, and wipe the rubber stopper with an alcohol swab before each withdrawal. Label the vial with the mix date and treat roughly a four-week refrigerated window as a practical outer limit, with many references citing a shorter usable period. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Discard the solution if it becomes cloudy or discolored or shows floaters.
Related reading
Tools and supplies
- Reconstitution & blend calculators
- Bacteriostatic Water 30 ml
- Gansulin Metal Reusable Pen
- 3 ml Glass Cartridges (10-pack)
- Complete Starter Kit
For laboratory and research reference only. Educational content, not medical, dosing, injection, or therapeutic guidance, and not intended for human or animal use. Any research uses described are investigational and not confirmed or approved benefits. Confirm anything involving health with a licensed professional. References linked above.