​There is a new treatment that has been studied to help the immune system. This is very exciting news for chronic immune and chronic viral conditions that are often resistant to treatment. Thymosin Alpha-1 (Ta1) is a peptide that is comprised of amino acids. This peptide is currently being used to modulate the immune system in some really exciting ways. Thymosin Alpha-1 reduces and modulates inflammation. Thymosin Alpha-1 has been used and studied in malignant melanoma, small cell lung cancer, Hepatitis B and C, auto-immune conditions, Lyme Disease, Epstein-Barr Virus and other viral infections.  Tα1 shows remarkable effects in the treatment of other diseases such as severe sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), gastrointestinal and systemic infectious disorders, and spontaneous peritonitis in individuals with cirrhosis. 

Thymosin Alpha-1 (Ta1) has some current applications since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus both in terms of immune system regulation and protecting against oxidative damage. Cells that are stressed and damaged from oxidative stress due to lack of anti-oxidants and repair, will not function well. This can lead to many ailments and diseases, including a decreased ability to fight viruses, colds, and bacterial infections. 

For our current state of affairs with the novel Coronavirus 2019, using Thymosin Alpha-1 can be especially helpful for immunoregulation. Ta1 can directly modulate the expression of cytokine genes, as well as a significant number of new genes, acting as immune system regulators. This can be especially important in helping the body to fight off something like a virus. There has been no research on using Thymosin Alpha-1 with the novel coronavirus, however, it has been shown to have success with ARDS and SARS, 2 other respiratory distress conditions resulting from a virus. COVID-19 causes what is referred to as SARS2. One of the mechanisms in which the COVID-19 virus causes problems in the lung is by inducing what is called “cytokine storm”

Cytokines are small proteins that are released from the immune system among other tissues, that send signals to the body to mount a response against infection and to trigger inflammation. This is part of healing. Sometimes the body’s response can go into overdrive releasing excessive amounts of cytokines which cause hyper-inflammation that can be seriously harmful. In the case of COVID-19 once the virus enters the lungs, it triggers that cytokine release, which in some people has been excessive leading to more serious illness. 

There has been no research using Ta1 with COVID-19, however, peptides are extremely safe and could be a good way to moderate the immune system to help before getting the virus or to even moderate the inflammatory response in the lungs after contracting the virus. 

Thymosin Alpha-1 also has anti-tumor activity, Similarly, when it was combined with chemotherapeutics in treating cancers, Tα1 could prevent patients from chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicities.

There are many applications for using Thymosin Alpha-1 peptides, from chronic conditions of Lyme, Epstein Barr, Hepatitis, Auto-Immune conditions, and also for acute conditions such as colds, flu, viruses, and many other things. Ask Dr. Richter or Dr. McManus to find out if this treatment could be right for you. 

References
1.  Ancell et al. Thymosin alpha-1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11381492 
2.  Shi, Y., Wang, Y., Shao, C. et al. COVID-19 infection: the perspectives on immune responses. Cell Death Differ (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41418-020-0530-3
3.  Juan Li, Chun Hui Liu, Feng Shan Wang,Thymosin alpha 1: Biological activities, applications and genetic engineering production,Peptides,Volume 31, Issue 11,2010,Pages 2151-2158, ISSN 0196-9781,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.peptides.2010.07.026.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196978110003384
4. George A. Cytokine Storm.  NewScientist. An overreaction of the body’s immune system. https://www.newscientist.com/term/cytokine-storm/