Thymosin is a hormone secreted from the thymus; a small, irregular-shaped gland in the top part of the chest, just under the breastbone and between the lungs. The thymus is responsible for regulating the immune system and tissue repair. Thymosin Beta 4 (Tβ4) is a naturally occurring peptide made up of 43 amino acid proteins.
Thymosin Beta 4 has been found to play an important role in protection, regeneration, and remodeling of injured or damaged tissue. (Tweet this!)
Studies show it can be taken after cardiac injury for better healing of the tissue in the heart. It is found in high concentrations in blood platelets, wound fluid, and other tissues in the body.
Tβ4 is not a growth factor; instead, it is a major actin-regulating peptide. It hinges on the ability to upregulate cell-building proteins such as actin, which is a protein that forms (together with myosin) the contractile filaments of muscle cells and is also involved in motion and metabolism in many other types of cells. Upregulation of actin allows Tβ4 to promote healing, cell growth, cell migration, and cell proliferation. This not only helps build new blood vessel pathways but also upregulates the type of “good” inflammation that is directly correlated with faster wound healing.
How Does Thymosin Beta 4 Work?
Thymosin Beta 4 is typically found in both types of muscle in the human body – skeletal (the muscles that are required to move) and smooth (muscles such as those in the heart). When damage to tissue occurs, Thymosin Beta 4 is upregulated. Thymosin Beta 4 is released in the body to help people heal from traumas. In the process of healing from injury, Thymosin Beta 4 also acts to reduce the amount of scar tissue and improve flexibility. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Why Would I Want to Use Thymosin Beta 4?
Thymosin Beta 4 has been shown to:
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Calm muscle spasms
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Improve muscle tone
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Increase the exchange of substances between cells
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Encourage tissue repair
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Help maintain flexibility
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Reduce inflammation of tissue in joints
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Encourage the growth of new blood cells in tissue
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Increase endurance and strength
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Prevent the formation of adhesions and fibrous bands in muscles, tendons, and ligaments
What You Need to Know
Thymosin Beta 4is most often used for acute injuries or wounds that would heal slowly (when you need them to heal fast), or for more chronic injuries where the healing doesn’t seem to be happening. Thymosin Beta 4 is prescribed for acute injury, surgical repair and recovery, and patients that were once athletes that accumulated injury over their lifetime.
Thymosin Beta 4 appears to be quite well-tolerated. No adverse drug interaction has been observed. No side effects, other than some irritation at the site of injection, have been reported.
What Forms of Thymosin Beta 4 are Available?
Thymosin Beta 4 is available reconstituted for injection. It is best prescribed to be taken once daily. For more information about your options or to get started on Thymosin Beta 4, please contact us!