Evidence Grade C — Moderate human evidence. 373 published studies, 173 human. 0 registered clinical trials.
Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
Thymulin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by the thymus gland, unique in that its biological activity completely depends on binding zinc. Blood levels decline progressively with age to nearly undetectable levels by the fifth decade of life. No controlled human therapeutic trials have been conducted, though the basic science — established across multiple independent laboratories — is well-regarded.
Thymulin is also known by these brand and alternate names:
373 published studies: 173 human, 178 animal, 103 in-vitro, 66 reviews
Thymulin has no marketing authorisation. No controlled human therapeutic trials have been conducted. Animal studies have investigated the relationship between zinc supplementation, thymulin restoration, and immune function in aged subjects.
Circulating thymulin levels decline progressively with age to nearly undetectable levels by the fifth decade of life. Research suggests this decline is partially reversible with zinc supplementation in animal models, but the therapeutic implications of these observations for human health have not been established through clinical trials.
Research suggests thymulin, when bound to zinc, may influence T-cell differentiation and maturation. Its biological activity is completely abolished without zinc, making the zinc-peptide complex the functional unit. Animal studies have investigated the relationship between age-related zinc deficiency, declining thymulin levels, and immune dysfunction.
Research suggests thymulin's mechanism is well characterised, with multiple independent research groups confirming its zinc-dependence and immune-modulating properties. Animal studies show that zinc supplementation can partially reverse age-related thymulin decline and associated immune dysfunction. Despite compelling preclinical evidence and a well-documented age-related decline that provides biological rationale for supplementation, no human interventional trials of thymulin administration exist. The therapeutic window, optimal dosing, and clinical significance remain entirely undefined in humans.
PeptideTrace tracks 0 registered clinical trials for Thymulin sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
No trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov for this compound.
Thymulin (Facteur Thymique Serique, FTS) is a zinc-dependent nonapeptide thymic hormone first described by Jean-Francois Bach in 1977 (Nature 266:55-57). It is the only thymic hormone whose structure has been fully characterized and whose biological activity is absolutely dependent on zinc binding in a 1:1 equimolar ratio. The zinc-free form (FTS) is biologically inactive but can be reactivated by in vitro zinc addition. Sequence: pGlu-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn. Molecular weight: 858.86 Da (free peptide), approximately 924 Da (zinc-bound). CAS: 63958-90-7. Molecular formula: C33H54N12O15. Zinc is coordinated by Ser4, Ser8, and N-terminal pyroglutamate. Plasma thymulin levels decline to nearly undetectable levels by the 5th decade of life. Not approved by any regulatory agency for clinical use.
Research suggests thymulin induces both intra- and extra-thymic T-cell differentiation, enhances T-cell surface marker expression, and promotes CD4/CD8 lineage commitment. Its effect on suppressor T-cells is described as the most remarkable (Bach 1989). Research suggests it also enhances NK cell activity, reduces TNF-alpha and IL-6 production via p38 MAPK phosphorylation inhibition, and exhibits anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. It interacts bidirectionally with the hypothalamus-pituitary axis and follows a circadian rhythm. Metallothionein within thymic epithelial cells transfers zinc to the peptide, and the ratio of active (zinc-bound) to total thymulin serves as a sensitive biomarker for zinc status in the organism.
Plasma thymulin levels are high during development and progressively decline to nearly undetectable levels by the 5th decade in humans. Mocchegiani et al. (1995; PMID 8582782) demonstrated that age-related thymic involution is not intrinsic and irreversible: oral zinc supplementation in 22-month-old mice for 1 month fully recovered thymic functions with organ regrowth and partial restoration of peripheral immune efficiency (PHA and ConA mitogen responsiveness, NK cell activity). In humans, serum thymulin activity decreased with mild zinc deficiency and was corrected by zinc supplementation. Disease associations include decreased levels in anorexia nervosa, type 1 diabetes, ALL, and AIDS/ARC. No controlled clinical trials of thymulin administration in humans for immune reconstitution or aging exist. The peptide is available only as a research reagent.
The information on this page is provided for educational and research reference purposes only. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions.
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