Thymosin Alpha 1

Potential Benefits of Thymosin Alpha 1

• Eradicates bacteria, viruses, and fungi [1-5]
• Boosts the function of certain immune cells [6-17]
• Suppresses cancer and tumor growth [18-34]
• Accelerates the wound healing process [3, 35-38]
• Fights inflammation [39-49]
• Increases vaccine effectiveness [50-53]

What is Thymosin Alpha 1?

Thymosin alpha 1 (T α 1) is a peptide (consists of two or more amino acids linked in a chain) that is naturally produced by the thymus gland. It plays an integral role in the maturation of immune system cells known as T-cells, which are vital in fighting harmful bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Thymosin alpha 1 also has anti-inflammatory and anti-fatigue properties and is given in patients with hepatitis B and C, malignant melanoma, liver cancer, drug-resistant tuberculosis, Lyme disease, and Di George’s syndrome (immunodeficiency disease).

How Thymosin Alpha 1 Works?

Thymosin alpha 1 stimulates signaling pathways in the immune system. By acting through toll-like receptors (a class of proteins that is essential in the innate immune system), thymosin alpha 1 discourages the replication of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms.

Chemical Structure of Thymosin Alpha 1

Research on Thymosin Alpha 1

Eradicates Bacteria, Viruses, and Fungi

Thymosin alpha 1 possesses strong antimicrobial properties that can help ward off infection:

1. In patients with severe sepsis (presence of harmful microorganisms in the blood), thymosin alpha 1 administration improved clinical outcomes without any adverse effects. [1]
2. In patients with chronic hepatitis B and C, thymosin alpha 1 administration for 6 months normalized liver enzyme levels, which is suggestive of improved liver function. [2]
3. In mice with a fungal infection, thymosin alpha 1 increased the production of phagocytes, which are cells capable of engulfing and absorbing bacteria. [3]
4. Thymosin alpha 1-based immunomodulatory therapy was associated with a significant reduction in mortality in septic patients. [4]
5. Thymosin alpha 1 administration in septic patients was also associated with increased survival rate, alleviation of illness, and short ICU stay and mechanical ventilation time. [5]

Boosts the Function of Certain Immune Cells

By affecting the production of certain immune cells, thymosin alpha 1 exerts its immune-boosting properties:

1. Thymosin alpha 1 is known to augment T-cell function. [6-7]
2. Thymosin alpha 1 also helps regulate both the innate and adaptive immune systems. [8-9]
3. Thymosin alpha has the ability to increase CD4+/CD8+ ratio. [10-11]
4. By activating and stimulating certain signaling pathways, thymosin alpha 1 boosts the production of immune-related cytokines. [12]
5. By selectively stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), thymosin alpha 1 indirectly strengthens the immune function. [13]
6. A study found that thymosin alpha 1 can boost the response of the immune system to inactivated vaccines. [14]
7. In patients with blood infection (sepsis), thymosin alpha 1 reduced the mortality rate by increasing the production of white blood cells known as monocytes. [15]
8. Studies suggest that thymosin alpha 1 can inhibit HIV-1 and human T lymphotropic virus 1 infection by potentiating the release by CD8 (+) cells of soluble factors. [16-17]

Suppresses Cancer and Tumor Growth

There’s also increasing evidence supporting the anti-cancer and antitumor properties of thymosin alpha 1:

1. By regulating cytokine secretion and repairing the damaged immune system, thymosin alpha 1 may help reduce cancer incidence. [18]
2. In the stage IV human breast cancer model, thymosin alpha 1 treatment was associated with significantly slow tumor growth. [19]
3. In patients with metastatic melanoma and advanced non-small cell lung cancer, thymosin alpha 1 treatment prolonged survival. [20]
4. In patients with hepatitis B virus-associated liver cancer, thymosin alpha 1 therapy improved liver function and significantly prolonged recurrence‑free and overall survival. [21]
5. Thymosin alpha 1 exerts its anti-tumor effects mainly by increasing the secretion of various T cell lymphokines, activating T4 helper cells to promote lymphocyte activity, and increasing the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells. [22-24]
6. Administration of thymosin alpha 1 in cancer patients was associated with reduced risk of death and improved disease‐/progression‐free survival. [25]
7. In patients with metastatic lung cancer, thymosin alpha 1 treatment was associated with the complete disappearance of lesions. [26]
8. A cell study found that exposure of human breast cancer cells to thymosin alpha 1 induced apoptosis (programmed cell death). [27]
9. The administration of thymosin alpha 1 in cancer patients increased the anti-tumor effect of chemotherapy while markedly reducing the side effects of the treatment. [28]
10. In tumor-bearing mice, thymosin alpha 1 significantly delayed tumor growth and prolonged survival time. [29]
11. In mice with breast cancer, thymosin alpha 1 exerted anti-tumor activity by increasing the levels of CD4 and CD8 cells. [30]
12. In patients with cancer that had spread to other body parts, thymosin alpha 1 administration increased the survival rate. [31]
13. In a human lung cancer cell line, thymosin alpha 1 inhibited cellular proliferation, cell migration, and an increase in the level of damaging free radicals. [32]
14. Studies show that thymosin alpha 1 can enhance the anti-cancer effects of chemotherapeutic drugs. [33-34]

Accelerates the Wound Healing Process

Studies also show that thymosin alpha 1 can accelerate tissue recovery:

1. In rat kidney cells, thymosin alpha 1 prevented programmed cell death and renal scarring. [3]
2. When given either topically or in the form of injections, thymosin alpha 1accelerated wound healing in mice. [35]
3. A cell-based study found that thymosin alpha 1 accelerates wound healing by promoting the formation of new blood vessels and cell migration at the site of injury. [36]
4. In neonatal mice, thymosin alpha 1 promoted the formation of new nerve cells or neurons (neurogenesis) by countering lipopolysaccharide-induced impairment. [37]
5. In patients with traumatized permanent front teeth, thymosin alpha 1 treatment for 12 months resulted in significant healing of gum tissues. [38]

Fights Inflammation

There’s also a good deal of evidence suggesting that thymosin alpha 1 has potent anti-inflammatory properties:

1. In rats with acute liver failure, thymosin alpha 1 reduced liver inflammation. [39]
2. Thymosin alpha 1 may help prevent tissue injury by reducing the release of inflammatory factors and cytokines, and the levels of IL-10 to control inflammation. [40-42]
3. Thymosin alpha 1 also reduces inflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory TNF-α. [43-46]
4. A cell-based study also found that thymosin alpha 1 protects against inflammatory allergy. [47]
5. In mice with cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that causes build-up of sticky, thick mucus in the organs and chronic inflammation, thymosin alpha 1 reduced inflammation and associated symptoms. [48]
6. In rodents, thymosin alpha 1 reduced the activation of inflammatory responses. [49]

Increases Vaccine Effectiveness

Thymosin alpha 1 is the ultimate immune system booster. Studies show that this peptide can naturally enhance the effectiveness of certain vaccines:

1. In patients who are susceptible to infection, thymosin alpha 1 administration enhanced the immunogenicity (ability to provoke an immune response) of the pandemic influenza vaccine. [50]
2. In elderly patients, administration of thymosin alpha 1 together with influenza vaccine enhanced vaccine responses. [51-52]
3. In animal models, thymosin alpha 1 enhanced the efficacy of the classical swine fever vaccine. [53]

Associated Side Effects of Thymosin Alpha 1

Thymosin alpha 1 side effects are very uncommon. There have been some side effects associated with the use of this drug wherein the patient had one of the issues listed below at some point while being on thymosin alpha 1. However, these side effects weren’t confirmed to be associated with the treatment and could have been a coincidence and not related to the use of thymosin alpha 1. Despite this, it was listed as a side effect associated with thymosin alpha 1 even though these associated side effects are very uncommon.

Side effects associated with thymosin alpha 1 may include the following:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Low white blood cells
• Muscle aches
• Nausea
• Vomiting

References

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