Thymulin

Overview

Thymulin is a zinc-dependent nonapeptide (pGlu-Ala-Lys-Ser-Gln-Gly-Gly-Ser-Asn) secreted by thymic epithelial cells, originally isolated by Bach and colleagues in the 1970s as 'facteur thymique sérique' (FTS). It is NOT the same compound as Thymalin (a Russian bovine thymus extract) or Thymosin alpha-1 (a separate 28-amino-acid thymic peptide). Thymulin is not FDA-approved; use is research/investigational only.

Mechanism of Action

Thymulin binds one zinc ion in a 1:1 stoichiometric complex that is required for biological activity. The zinc-thymulin complex engages high-affinity receptors on T-cell precursors and modulates T-cell differentiation and cytokine production in preclinical systems. Zinc deficiency effectively abolishes measurable thymulin activity regardless of peptide concentration. Thymulin-related peptides have shown analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in rodent pain models, possibly involving opioid-sensitive central pathways.

Research Summary

Bach and Dardenne originally characterized FTS/thymulin and its absolute zinc dependency (Bach & Dardenne, Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989, PMID 2657247). Prasad et al. (J Clin Invest 1988, PMID 3262625) showed that serum thymulin activity falls in human zinc deficiency and recovers with zinc supplementation. Mocchegiani et al. (Int J Immunopharmacol 1995, PMID 8582782) demonstrated partial reversal of thymic involution with zinc in aged mice. Dardenne & Pleau reviewed zinc-thymulin interactions (Met Based Drugs 1994, PMID 18476235). Safieh-Garabedian et al. (Br J Pharmacol 2002, PMID 12110619) reported analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity of a thymulin-related peptide in rats. There are NO large, modern RCTs of exogenous thymulin in humans; clinical use is experimental.

Vendors selling Thymulin

Scored vendors carrying Thymulin, ranked by trust grade. Grades are computed from indexed Certificates of Analysis. Full $/mg pricing is on the comparison page.

Prescribers who offer Thymulin

10 prescribers in our directory work with Thymulin, each confirmed from their own website. Peptides like Thymulin require a prescription from a licensed provider — telehealth options are available.

Reported Side Effects

• Injection site irritation
• Mild fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Unknown long-term effects — limited human safety data

Compare Thymulin with Others

Research References

• Thymulin, a zinc-dependent hormone (Bach & Dardenne) (1989)
• Serum thymulin in human zinc deficiency (Prasad et al., J Clin Invest) (1988)
• Reversibility of the thymic involution and of age-related peripheral immune dysfunctions by zinc supplementation in old mice (Mocchegiani et al.) (1995)
• Interactions between zinc and thymulin (Dardenne & Pleau) (1994)
• Potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory actions of a novel thymulin-related peptide in the rat (Safieh-Garabedian et al., Br J Pharmacol) (2002)

Frequently asked questions

Has Thymulin been independently lab-tested?

Disclosed Labs has collected 5 Certificates of Analysis (COA) for Thymulin from 4 independent testing labs. 5 vendors have submitted material for testing. Products average 99.5% tested purity across the corpus. Full testing data is available at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/thymulin/testing.

What is the average purity of Thymulin on the market?

Based on 5 COAs analyzed by Disclosed Labs, Thymulin products average 99.5% (±0.1%) tested purity. Individual vendor results vary; see per-vendor COA data at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/peptides/thymulin/coas.

Where can researchers source Thymulin?

3 vendors with Disclosed Labs trust grades currently list Thymulin, including Skye Peptides, BioLongevity Labs, Simple Peptide. Compare live prices and lab-verified COAs at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prices/thymulin.

Which prescribers offer Thymulin with a prescription?

10 prescribers in the Disclosed Labs directory work with Thymulin, each confirmed from their own website, with telehealth options available. Thymulin requires a prescription from a licensed provider. Browse them at https://www.disclosedlabs.com/prescribers?peptide=Thymulin.

How does Thymulin work?

Thymulin binds one zinc ion in a 1:1 stoichiometric complex that is required for biological activity. The zinc-thymulin complex engages high-affinity receptors on T-cell precursors and modulates T-cell differentiation and cytokine production in preclinical systems. Zinc deficiency effectively abolishes measurable thymulin activity regardless of peptide concentration. Thymulin-related peptides have shown analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in rodent pain models, possibly involving opioid-sensitive central pathways.

What does the research say about Thymulin?

Bach and Dardenne originally characterized FTS/thymulin and its absolute zinc dependency (Bach & Dardenne, Med Oncol Tumor Pharmacother 1989, PMID 2657247). Prasad et al. (J Clin Invest 1988, PMID 3262625) showed that serum thymulin activity falls in human zinc deficiency and recovers with zinc supplementation. Mocchegiani et al. (Int J Immunopharmacol 1995, PMID 8582782) demonstrated partial reversal of thymic involution with zinc in aged mice. Dardenne & Pleau reviewed zinc-thymulin interactions (Met Based Drugs 1994, PMID 18476235). Safieh-Garabedian et al. (Br J Pharmacol 2002, PMID 12110619) reported analgesic/anti-inflammatory activity of a thymulin-related peptide in rats. There are NO large, modern RCTs of exogenous thymulin in humans; clinical use is experimental.