Thymalin
Thymalin is a polypeptide obtained from the thymus. Its major function is to regulate the functions of the immune system. It requires zinc for functioning.
Thymalin is also a geroprotective medication. A geroprotective medication is one that disrupts the causes of aging and age-related diseases, resulting in an increased life span.
Effects of Thymalin
- Thymalin has positive effects on T cell differentiation and maturation as well as an increase in T cell and NK cell activity.
- It has interactions with the pituitary-hypothalamic axis too. For instance, it follows circadian rhythms, and elevated levels of ACTH results in elevated levels of thymulin.
- Thymalin also increases the release of regulatory cytokines from T helper cells.
Thymalin Sources
The human thymus gland is an organ where T-cells mature and differentiate. it is a peptide extract obtained from the thymus gland of cows.
Thymalin Uses
it can prove beneficial in the treatment of flu, the common cold, hay fever, allergic reactions, asthma, and many other conditions but there isn’t a scientific evidence available for its use in these diseases.
Thymalin in COVID-19 treatment
Thymalin, obtained from calf thymus, has shown to be beneficial for cell-mediated immunity. So, doctors now use it to treat patients suffering from severe pneumonia affected by COVID-19.
SARS-CoV-2 causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. It markedly affects the T-cells in the body resulting in T-cell exhaustion. To rephrase it, the corona virus strain, SARS-CoV-2 causes severe lymphocytopenia, i.e., very low levels of T-lymphocytes in the body. This phenomenon is pronounced in elderly patients due to lowered thymic T cell output.
Doctors use thymalin in old age patients suffering from COVID-19 because it increased T-cell maturation and differentiation by causing increased expression of CD28 markers. it also increases cytokine release from T cells. For this reason, thymalin has also proven to be beneficial in other diseases including influenza, Herpes simplex, Hepatitis B and C, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Thymalin in treatment of chronic lympho-leukemia
Doctor use thymalin in the complex treatment of chronic lympholeukemia. it causes an increase in the functional capacity of lymphocytes resulting in better results during treatment of patients suffering from chronic lympholeukemia.
Thymalin for differentiation of human hematopoietic stem cells
It serves as an agent for the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells into mature cells. Thymalin decreases the expression of CD44 and CD117 markers and it specifically increases the expression of CD28. Not to mention, CD28 causes differentiation and maturation of CD28 T-lymphocytes.
Thymalin for tumor growth suppression
Studies reveal that thymalin suppresses the growth of tumor cells. Thymulin exhibits its antitumor effects in doses lower than the therapeutic doses.
Thymalin in the treatment of frostbite
Thymalin can also prove beneficial for the treatment of frostbite due to the following attributes:
- It stimulates cell-mediated immunity.
- Thymalin decreases the risk of intravascular coagulation of blood, particularly by the use of thymalin injection.
- It increases fibrinolysis, i.e., the breakdown of blood clots.
- It stimulates wound healing.
- Lastly, it decreases the chances of infections.
Thymalin’s use in the CNS
Thymalin peptides exert analgesic effects in the central nervous system, in concentrations higher than the therapeutic doses. It also shows neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in the central nervous system.
The above mentioned functions are due to the effects of thymulin on the astrocytes.
Thymalin-induced thymus regrowth in old age
Studies show that regrowth of the thymus can occur in old age by hormonal stimulation. Basically, hormonal stimulation of T3 and T4 hormones can result in increased zinc levels in the body. Elevated zinc levels induce regrowth of the thymus and recovery of thymalin levels.
With this in mind, we can say that zinc plays a vital role in thymic regrowth.
Thymalin for greying of hair
It helps in endogenous hair pigmentation and blackening of hair. For instance, it stimulates melanocytes to release melanin for pigmenting grey hair.
Relationship between zinc and thymalin
Zinc is a mineral that is essential for normal immune activity. Deficiency of zinc results in immune deficiency. Without a doubt, thymalin requires zinc for normal immune functioning to become biologically active. it causes the maturation and differentiation of T-cells by using zinc. Zinc also prevents cell death (apoptosis) of T-lymphocytes.
The deficiency of zinc can result in thymic regression. A disease called, acrodermatitis enteropathica, causes thymic atrophy together with zinc deficiency in affected patients.
Effect of zinc on B cell maturation and differentiation
On the other hand, B cell maturation and differentiation depend less on zinc levels. However, zinc deficiency can impair antibody-mediated immunity and also cause defective B cell maturation and differentiation.
Zinc supplementation
Moreover, supplementation of zinc in children can result in a decrease in the incidence of delayed hypersensitivity reactions.
Side Effects of thymalin usage
It is relatively safe to use but there can be a risk of contamination with diseased parts of animals if thymulin comes from animal sources.
Moreover, there are pieces of evidence that reveal the possibility of developing “mad cow disease” in humans. But there is only true in those areas and countries where “mad cow disease” is found.
Contraindications of thymalin usage
Pregnant and lactating women
No evidence reveals whether thymalin use is safe during pregnancy or not. Nevertheless, avoid thymulin usage in pregnancy and breastfeeding to remain on the safe side.
Weakened immune system
Individuals who have a weakened immune system (such as patients of AIDS) or those who are taking immune-suppressing medications ( such as patients of organ transplants) should avoid the use of it.
Thymalin dipeptide
Thymalin dipeptide was first isolated from the calf thymic gland. It also helps in T cell activation, maturation, and differentiation. In addition to this, thymulin dipeptide plays a role in neutrophil chemotaxis, T cell-mediated MHC recognition, and phagocytosis.
A Little Comprehension
To conclude, thymalin is an extract of the thymus gland, mostly the thymus gland of animals. Doctors use thymalin to treat a variety of diseases such as chronic lympholeukemia, greying of hair, tumor growth suppression, hay fever, asthma, common colds, flu, and in treatment of frostbite. But the use of thymulin in the above-mentioned diseases does not have very strong pieces of evidence of being fully effective. it has a moderate side effect profile and is still being tested for its efficacy in the treatment of various diseases.
FAQs
In what conditions can we use thymalin?
Doctors generally use thymalin in conditions such as asthma, common cold, flu, chronic lympholeukemia, hay fever, greying of hair, tumor growth suppression, and in treatment of frostbite. Presently, it is being used in the treatment of serious patients of SARS-CoV-2 suffering from severe acute respiratory distress and pneumonia.
Why zinc supplementation is necessary along with thymalin treatment?
Zinc supplementation has a vital role in thymalin function. Thymulin requires zinc for the maturation and differentiation of T lymphocytes. Zinc also prevents cell death (apoptosis) of T-lymphocytes. The deficiency of zinc can result in thymic regression. Moreover, supplementation of zinc in children can result in a decrease in the incidence of delayed hypersensitivity reactions
Who should not use thymalin?
Individuals who have a weakened immune system (such as patients of AIDS) or those who are taking immune-suppressing medications (such as patients of organ transplants) should avoid the use of thymalin. Moreover, there are no pieces of evidence that reveal whether thymulin use is safe during pregnancy or not. Nevertheless, avoid thymalin usage in pregnancy and breastfeeding to remain on the safe side.
How thymalin can be successfull in the treatment of COVID-19?
It can prove beneficial in the treatment of COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 causes severe acute respiratory syndrome. It markedly affects the T-cells in the body resulting in T-cell exhaustion. To rephrase it, the corona virus strain, SARS-CoV-2 causes severe lymphocytopenia, i.e., very low levels of T-lymphocytes in the body. This phenomenon is pronounced in elderly patients due to lowered thymic T cell output.
Doctors use thymalin in old age patients suffering from COVID-19 because it increases T-cell maturation and differentiation by causing increased expression of CD28 markers. Thymalin also increases cytokine release from T cells.
Are there any side effects of thymalin usage?
It is relatively safe to use but there can be a risk of contamination with animal diseased parts if it comes from animal sources. Moreover, some pieces of evidence reveal the possibility of developing “mad cow disease” in humans. But there is only truth in those areas and countries where “mad cow disease” is found.
