Side-by-side · Research reference

ACE-031vsPinealon

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

BHuman-MechanisticAUTO-DRAFTED12/36 cited

ACE-031

ActRIIB-Fc Fusion · Phase 2 Halted

Phase 2Highest trial stage

2011Development halted

~58.4 kDaMolecular weightReichel 2025

SQ · Weekly dosing investigated

Pinealon

Pineal-derived · Neuroprotective

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2014

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2014

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ or IM · Daily for 10 days · 1-2×/year

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ACE-031

Pinealon

Primary target

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

Antioxidant defense + neuronal gene expression (proposed)Khavinson 2014

Pathway

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

Modulation of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, catalase) + neurotrophic factor expressionKhavinson 2014

Downstream effect

Disinhibition of myogenic signaling, increased skeletal muscle mass and strength

Reduced oxidative stress in neurons; improved cognitive function in age-related declineKhavinson 2014

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from pineal gland extractKhavinson 2014

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ACE-031

Pinealon

Clinical dosing

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

Phase 2 DMD trial protocol not fully published.

—

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

—

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trial discontinued — incomplete dataset

Russian clinical trials + in vitroKhavinson 2014

Half-life

Days to weeks (Fc-fusion typical kinetics)

IgG1-Fc domain confers extended circulation time.

Hours

Duration investigated

12–24 weeks (trial cut short)

—

Standard dose

—

5–10 mg / day for 10 daysKhavinson 2014

Frequency

—

Once daily during cycle

Lower / starter dose

—

2.5 mg / day

Duration

—

10-day cycles, 1–2× per year

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

Timing

—

No specific time

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ACE-031

Pinealon

Epistaxis (nosebleeds)

Significant incidence in Phase 2 DMD trial — primary safety signal

—

Telangiectasia

Dilated capillaries / spider veins observed

—

Vascular abnormalities

Mechanism: ActRIIB/ALK1 pathway disruption affects vascular homeostasis

—

Injection site reactions

Local erythema, induration (biologics class effect)

—

Antibody development

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

—

Black market contaminants

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

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation

Long-term safety

—

Limited Western data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid

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

Pinealon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

ACE-031

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

Pinealon

·Active malignancy (theoretical via gene expression modulation)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ACE-031

Pinealon

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.

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial.

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

SQ — abdomen preferred.

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

Daily during cycle, any time.

4. Clinical trial route

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

Lyophilised: room temp. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

06Stack Synergy

ACE-031

— no documented stacks

Pinealon

+ Epitalon

Moderate

View Epitalon →

Pinealon (neuroprotection) + Epitalon (telomerase activation) form the canonical Khavinson "longevity stack" — both pineal-derived bioregulators with complementary axes. Pinealon supports neuronal antioxidant defense; Epitalon supports telomere maintenance. Anecdotally cycled together 1–2× per year.

Pinealon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days
Epitalon: 5–10 mg SQ · daily × 10 days (overlap or alternate)
Primary benefit: Neuroprotection + telomere preservation

Khavinson 2014 Khavinson 2003