Thymulin is a nonapeptide hormone produced by thymic epithelial cells, discovered in the 1970s by Bach and colleagues. It is unique among thymic hormones in requiring zinc as a metallic cofactor, creating a direct link between zinc nutrition and immune competence. The age-related decline in thymulin mirrors immune aging, making it a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for immunosenescence.
Dosage Information (Research Use)
Research doses: 1-10μg/kg in animal studies. No standardized human protocol. Often studied in zinc-supplemented contexts. Research compound only.
Reconstitution & Handling
Reconstitute in sterile saline. Zinc must be present for biological activity.
Half-Life & Pharmacokinetics
~15-20 minutes (serum)
Reported Observations in Literature
Limited toxicity data. Well tolerated in animal studies. Zinc-dependent — excess zinc supplementation carries its own risks.
Key Research References
- Bach JF. “Thymulin (FTS-Zn).” Clin Immunol Immunopathol. 1983;27:1-12
- Reggiani PC et al. “Thymulin gene therapy.” Int Immunopharmacol. 2014;23:57-62