Side-by-side · Research reference

ACE-031vsCartalax

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED10/44 cited

BAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED10/32 cited

ACE-031

ActRIIB-Fc Fusion · Phase 2 Halted

Phase 2Highest trial stage

2011Development halted

~58.4 kDaMolecular weightReichel 2025

SQ · Weekly dosing investigated

Cartalax

Bioregulator Peptide · Khavinson School

CartilagePrimary tissuePovorozniuk 2007

MSC → ChondrocyteDifferentiation axisLinkova 2023

BMD ↑Bone density effectPovorozniuk 2007

SQ · Protocol Unspecified

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ACE-031

Cartalax

Primary target

Myostatin, GDF11, activin A — TGF-β superfamily ligands

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergoing chondrogenic differentiationLinkova 2023

Pathway

Soluble decoy receptor binds circulating myostatin/TGF-β ligands → prevents ActRIIB activation → SMAD2/3 pathway inhibition

Modulation of WNT, ERK-p38, and Smad 1/5/8 signaling pathwaysLinkova 2023

Downstream effect

Disinhibition of myogenic signaling, increased skeletal muscle mass and strength

Upregulation of chondrogenic genes (COL2, SOX9, ACAN); increased bone mineral density; osteoprotective effects in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosisLinkova 2023 Povorozniuk 2007

Feedback intact?

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Origin

Recombinant fusion protein: human ActRIIB extracellular domain + IgG1-Fc fragmentReichel 2025

Derived from cartilaginous tissue extracts (Khavinson bioregulator methodology)Povorozniuk 2007

Antibody development

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ACE-031

Cartalax

Clinical dosing

Weekly or biweekly SQ injections (exact doses undisclosed pre-halt)

Phase 2 DMD trial protocol not fully published.

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Black market products

Variable purity; 12/14 tested products contained target protein plus contaminantsReichel 2025

SDS-PAGE revealed multiple protein bands; quality control absent.Reichel 2025

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Evidence basis

Phase 2 trial discontinued — incomplete dataset

Animal mechanistic studies only

Half-life

Days to weeks (Fc-fusion typical kinetics)

IgG1-Fc domain confers extended circulation time.

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Duration investigated

12–24 weeks (trial cut short)

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Animal model dose

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Unspecified (cartilaginous tissue extract protocol)

Rat study; extract preparation details not indexed in available abstracts.

Human dosing

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Not established in PubMed-indexed literature

Russian-tradition protocols exist but lack peer-reviewed Western validation.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter

ACE-031

Cartalax

Fat loss evidence

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None — primary target is cartilage and bone tissue, not adipose

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ACE-031

Cartalax

Epistaxis (nosebleeds)

Significant incidence in Phase 2 DMD trial — primary safety signal

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Telangiectasia

Dilated capillaries / spider veins observed

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Vascular abnormalities

Mechanism: ActRIIB/ALK1 pathway disruption affects vascular homeostasis

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Injection site reactions

Local erythema, induration (biologics class effect)

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Antibody development

Potential for anti-drug antibodies (Fc-fusion proteins); incidence not reported

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Black market contaminants

12/14 tested products contained multiple unidentified proteins alongside ACE-031Reichel 2025

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Documented adverse effects

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None reported in indexed animal studies

Human safety data

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Not available in PubMed-indexed literature

Absolute Contraindications

ACE-031

·History of vascular disorders (epistaxis, telangiectasia, HHT)
·Pregnancy (TGF-β pathway critical for fetal development)
·Active malignancy (myostatin inhibition may affect tumour growth)
·Use of non-pharmaceutical grade ACE-031 (contamination risk)Reichel 2025

Cartalax

·Unknown due to lack of human clinical trial data

Relative Contraindications

ACE-031

·Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant use (epistaxis risk)
·Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) family history
·Cardiovascular disease (vascular remodeling effects unknown)

Cartalax

·Active malignancy (theoretical; peptide bioregulators may influence cell proliferation pathways)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ACE-031

Cartalax

1. Pharmaceutical status

ACE-031 is not FDA-approved or commercially available. Phase 2 development was discontinued in 2011 due to safety concerns. Any ACE-031 on the black market is unregulated research chemical.

Subcutaneous injection typical for Khavinson bioregulators; specific protocols not detailed in indexed literature.

2. Black market quality

12 of 14 tested black market ACE-031 products contained the target protein but also carried multiple unidentified protein contaminants detectable by SDS-PAGE. Two products contained no ACVR2B-immunoreactive material.Reichel 2025

Russian-tradition protocols often employ 10-day cycles; precise frequency unspecified in available abstracts.

3. Detection in sport

ACE-031 is prohibited under WADA S4.3 (Myostatin Inhibitors). Gel electrophoresis and Western blotting using ACVR2B-specific antibodies can detect the ~58.4 kDa protein in biological samples.Reichel 2025

Lyophilised peptide bioregulators typically stored at 2–8 °C, light-protected. Reconstitution details not indexed.

4. Clinical trial route

Phase 2 protocol used subcutaneous injections at weekly or biweekly intervals. Exact dosing protocols remain unpublished.

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