Thymalin
Immune / Bioregulatory Peptideapproved (Russia)Also known as: Thymus extract, Thymaline
A thymic peptide bioregulator developed in Russia that restores immune function by promoting T-cell maturation and has shown anti-aging effects in clinical studies on elderly patients.
Overview
Thymalin is a polypeptide complex originally isolated from calf thymus glands, developed by Professor Vladimir Khavinson at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology in Russia. It belongs to a class of compounds called peptide bioregulators — short peptides that regulate gene expression in specific tissues. Thymalin targets the thymus gland and immune system, promoting T-cell differentiation, restoring immune function in immunocompromised individuals, and normalizing immune biomarkers. In landmark Russian clinical studies spanning decades, Thymalin (often combined with Epithalon) was shown to reduce mortality and improve health outcomes in elderly populations. The thymus undergoes significant involution with aging, and Thymalin is theorized to partially reverse this decline, restoring thymic output of naive T-cells. While widely used in Russian and Eastern European medicine, Thymalin has limited recognition in Western medical literature.
Mechanism of Action
Thymalin acts on the immune system through multiple pathways: (1) Promotes maturation and differentiation of T-lymphocytes in the thymus; (2) Restores the balance between T-helper and T-suppressor cell populations; (3) Enhances phagocytic activity of macrophages and neutrophils; (4) Stimulates production of thymic hormones including thymulin; (5) Modulates cytokine production, normalizing inflammatory responses; (6) May partially reverse age-related thymic involution; (7) Regulates neuroendocrine-immune interactions.
Molecular Formula
Complex mixture of thymic peptides
Molecular Weight
< 10,000 Da
Sequence
Complex mixture — primary active peptides include EW (Glu-Trp) dipeptide
Dosage Protocols
Dose Range
5mg – 10mg
Frequency
Once daily
Route
intramuscular
Cycle Length
5-10 days per course, 1-2 courses per year
Standard Russian clinical protocol. Reconstitute in saline. Courses are typically given in spring and autumn. Often combined with Epithalon for synergistic anti-aging effects.
Source: Russian clinical protocols (Khavinson Institute)
Side Effects
| Effect | Severity |
|---|---|
| Injection site pain | mild |
| Allergic reaction | moderate |
| Mild fever | mild |
| Fatigue | mild |
Pros & Cons
Decades of clinical use in Russia with published mortality-reduction data in elderly populations
Addresses the root cause of immunosenescence — thymic involution
Short treatment courses (5-10 days) with effects lasting months
Synergistic with Epithalon for comprehensive anti-aging protocols
Most clinical evidence comes from Russian studies that may not meet Western RCT standards
Not FDA-approved and unfamiliar to most Western physicians
Animal-derived product with potential batch variability
Limited availability of high-quality product outside Russia
Research Studies
Legal Status
Approved pharmaceutical in Russia and some CIS countries. Not FDA-approved. Available as a research peptide in Western countries. No specific regulatory restrictions as a research compound.
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