Thymulin
Overview
A zinc-containing nonapeptide (facteur thymique serique) produced exclusively by thymic epithelial cells. Thymulin requires zinc for biological activity and promotes T-lymphocyte differentiation, maturation, and function. Circulating thymulin levels decline progressively with age in parallel with thymic involution, and zinc deficiency independently impairs thymulin activity, linking nutritional status to immune competence.
Key Research Findings
Serum thymulin levels correlate with thymic function and decline markedly after age 60. Zinc supplementation partially restores thymulin activity in elderly and zinc-deficient populations (Prasad et al., Am J Clin Nutr, 1993). Intranasal thymulin reduced lung inflammation in animal models of asthma and ARDS. Research suggests potential for immune reconstitution in aging populations through combined thymulin and zinc therapy.
Subcutaneous injection, Intranasal
Research Phase
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