Cartalax: A Synthetic Tripeptide for Cellular Aging and Tissue Repair Research

Cartalax, a synthetic tripeptide composed of alanine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid (Ala-Glu-Asp), is an emerging compound in research settings, valued for its potential to modulate fibroblast function and cellular aging processes. As a bioregulatory peptide, it is investigated for its effects on cartilage, skin, kidney, and connective tissue homeostasis, offering insights into age-related degeneration and tissue repair mechanisms. Presented by Protide Health, a leader in peptide research, this article examines the scientific foundation, mechanisms, and research applications of Cartalax, strictly for investigational purposes. Tailored for researchers studying cellular senescence and regenerative biology, this review synthesizes current preclinical findings to highlight Cartalax’s utility in controlled studies.

Overview of Cartalax: A Bioregulatory Research Compound

Cartalax, also known as AED or T-31, is a short-chain peptide with a molecular formula of C12H19N3O8 and a molecular weight of 333.29 g/mol (PubChem CID: 87815447). Developed as part of the Khavinson peptide family, it is designed to mimic natural regulatory protein fragments found in tissues like cartilage and kidneys. Synthesized for research, Cartalax is typically supplied as a lyophilized powder (20 mg vials, >98% purity) for in vitro and in vivo studies, requiring reconstitution with bacteriostatic water PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

Investigated primarily for its effects on fibroblasts—cells critical to extracellular matrix (ECM) production—Cartalax is used in research to explore cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence in aging models. Its bioregulatory properties make it a valuable tool for studying cartilage homeostasis, skin aging, and kidney cell renewal in controlled settings. The following sections detail its mechanisms and research applications, emphasizing its role as a research-only compound.

Mechanism of Action: Fibroblast Regulation and Cellular Homeostasis

Cartalax exerts its effects by modulating fibroblast activity and gene expression, influencing pathways associated with cellular aging and tissue repair. Its mechanisms have been characterized in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Fibroblast Proliferation: Cartalax upregulates Ki-67, a proliferation marker, by 20–30% in fibroblast cultures, enhancing cell division and ECM production, including collagen and glycosaminoglycans PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Anti-Apoptotic Effects: It reduces caspase-dependent apoptosis and p53 expression by 25%, extending fibroblast lifespan in aged cell cultures PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Anti-Inflammatory Action: Cartalax modulates cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6) and activates NF-κB signaling, reducing inflammation by 15–20% in models of tissue stress PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• ECM Remodeling: By inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) synthesis, Cartalax prevents ECM degradation, maintaining tissue integrity in aging models PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Pharmacokinetics: In rodent studies, Cartalax (10 µg/kg/day) achieves rapid cellular uptake, with effects persisting due to gene expression changes, though specific half-life data is limited PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

Preclinical studies demonstrate Cartalax’s ability to enhance fibroblast proliferation by 20–30% in skin and kidney cell cultures and reduce apoptosis markers by 25% in aged models PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review. No human clinical trials have been published, restricting its use to laboratory research.

Research Applications of Cartalax: Insights from Preclinical Studies

Cartalax’s bioregulatory effects make it a versatile compound for investigating cellular aging and tissue repair. The following applications are strictly for research purposes in controlled environments, supported by peer-reviewed findings:

Cartilage Homeostasis Research

Cartalax is studied for its potential to regulate cartilage fibroblast function, though direct cartilage-specific data is limited. Key findings include:

• A 20–30% increase in Ki-67 expression in chondrocyte-like cells, suggesting enhanced proliferation potential PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Inhibition of MMP-9, reducing ECM breakdown in aging fibroblast cultures, which may translate to cartilage models PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Indirect support for cartilage research via fibroblast regulation, as fibroblasts are primary regulators of cartilage homeostasis PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

Skin Aging and ECM Remodeling

Cartalax’s effects on skin fibroblasts are well-documented in preclinical models:

• A 15–20% increase in collagen and carnosine production in aged skin cell cultures, improving ECM structure PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Reduced senescence markers (p16, p21, p53) by 25%, restoring youthful function in older fibroblasts PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Enhanced tissue regeneration in rodent skin models, with 20% faster ECM remodeling PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

Kidney Cell Renewal Studies

Cartalax is investigated for its regenerative potential in kidney tissues:

• A 15% increase in proliferation markers in aging renal cell cultures, reducing p53 expression PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Decreased apoptosis by 25% in kidney fibroblasts, potentially supporting tissue integrity PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Modulation of oxidative stress markers, suggesting protective effects in renal aging models PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

Cellular Aging and Senescence Research

Cartalax serves as a model for studying cellular senescence and longevity:

• A 20–25% reduction in senescence-associated β-galactosidase in aged fibroblast cultures, indicating delayed aging PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Upregulation of SIRT6, a DNA repair protein, by 10–15% in cell cultures, linked to longevity pathways PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Potential to explore fibroblast-mediated aging in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, with 15% altered gene expression in proliferation phases PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

Neurological Research Potential

Limited preclinical data suggest Cartalax may influence neuronal differentiation:

• A 10–15% increase in neuronal cell differentiation markers in vitro, potentially via cytokine modulation PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• No direct evidence of cognitive effects, requiring further investigation PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

These applications are confined to research settings, with no approved therapeutic use in humans.

Research Populations and Study Designs

Cartalax’s research applications target specific investigational populations and study designs:

• Preclinical Researchers: Scientists studying fibroblast biology, cartilage homeostasis, or cellular senescence use Cartalax in cell cultures and rodent models PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Aging and Gerontology Investigators: Researchers examining senescence markers or tissue aging employ Cartalax to explore SIRT6 and p53 pathways PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Regenerative Biology Scientists: Those investigating ECM remodeling or kidney regeneration use Cartalax to study fibroblast-mediated repair PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

Typical study designs involve in vitro fibroblast or kidney cell cultures treated with 0.1–10 µg/mL Cartalax or supporting in vivo studies in mice (10 µg/kg/day) for 2–4 weeks, measuring proliferation (Ki-67), apoptosis (p53), and ECM markers (MMP-9). No standardized human research protocols exist, and all applications are investigational PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

Research Limitations and Risks

Several limitations and considerations apply to Cartalax research:

• Limited Human Data: No clinical trials confirm human efficacy or safety, with all reported effects derived from preclinical studies PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Regulatory Status: Cartalax is not approved by the FDA or any regulatory body for human use and is designated for research purposes only PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Side Effect Profile: No adverse effects reported in preclinical studies at 0.1–10 µg/kg/day, but human safety data is absent, requiring cautious handling PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

• Dosing Variability: Research doses (0.1–10 µg/mL in vitro, 10–20 µg/kg/day in vivo) lack standardization, necessitating precise protocols PMC, Cartalax Skin Research.

• Theoretical Risks: Proliferative effects could theoretically amplify unintended cellular responses in specific contexts, though no evidence supports this PMC, Khavinson Peptide Review.

Conclusion: A Promising Tool for Cellular Aging Research

Cartalax, a synthetic tripeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp), offers significant potential as a research tool for studying fibroblast-mediated processes in aging and tissue repair. Preclinical studies demonstrate a 20–30% increase in fibroblast proliferation, 25% reduction in apoptosis, and 15–20% enhanced ECM remodeling, providing insights into cartilage, skin, and kidney aging. For researchers investigating cellular senescence, regenerative biology, or anti-aging pathways, Cartalax is a precise instrument for controlled studies. However, its lack of human data, investigational status, and regulatory restrictions limit its use to laboratory research.

Key Citations

• Khavinson peptide review

• Cartalax skin and fibroblast research

• Protide Health peptide innovation

Legal Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for research purposes only. Cartalax is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any regulatory authority for human consumption or therapeutic use. It is intended solely for investigational use in controlled laboratory settings by qualified researchers. Protide Health does not endorse or promote the use of Cartalax in humans or animals outside of approved research protocols. Researchers must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal regulations, including obtaining necessary approvals for experimental use. Consult with regulatory authorities before initiating any research involving Cartalax.