Thymus Extract
Research reviewed: 1982–2018
Thymus Extract (Thymic extract (thymosin fraction)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 548 participants, researched for T-Cell Function, Immune Modulation, Infection Resistance and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
T-Cell Function
ModerateImmune Modulation
ModerateInfection Resistance
StrongThymic Support & Age-Related Decline
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
T-Cell Function
Evaluate thymic extract on T-cell function in immunocompromised patients
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate thymic extract on T-cell function in immunocompromised patients
Dose
Thymosin fraction 5, 1 mg/m2 IV
Participants
55
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in T-helper cells; enhanced T-cell proliferation; immune reconstitution in treated patients
How They Measured It
T-cell subset analysis, lymphocyte proliferation
Assess thymosin alpha-1 on immune reconstitution in cancer patients
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess thymosin alpha-1 on immune reconstitution in cancer patients
Dose
Thymosin alpha-1 1.6 mg SC twice weekly
Participants
88
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant CD4+ T-cell recovery; enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity; IFN-gamma production restored; well-tolerated
How They Measured It
CD4+ T-cells, NK cells, IFN-gamma production
Immune Modulation
Evaluate thymic extract on immune function in elderly adults
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate thymic extract on immune function in elderly adults
Dose
Thymic extract oral
Participants
80
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significantly improved vaccine antibody response; NK cell activity restored toward young adult levels; T-cell diversity improved
How They Measured It
Lymphocyte subsets, NK cells, antibody response to vaccine
Review thymic extract clinical evidence for immune modulation
Study Type
Systematic Review
Purpose
Review thymic extract clinical evidence for immune modulation
Dose
Various
Participants
145
Duration
Various
Results
Consistent evidence for T-cell restoration; strongest data for infectious and cancer patients; oral extract shows activity
How They Measured It
Clinical outcomes across immunodeficiency, infection, cancer trials
Infection Resistance
Assess thymic extract for reducing infection in high-risk patients
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess thymic extract for reducing infection in high-risk patients
Dose
Thymosin extract 3 mg/day
Participants
60
Duration
6 months
Results
Significant reduction in infection frequency (−35%); infections shorter and less severe; well-tolerated
How They Measured It
Infection frequency, severity, duration
Evaluate thymic peptides on T-cell function in chronic infection
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Evaluate thymic peptides on T-cell function in chronic infection
Dose
Thymic peptides 6 mg/day
Participants
75
Duration
24 weeks
Results
CD4+ T-cells significantly increased; quality of life improved; immune markers trended toward normalisation
How They Measured It
CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts, viral load, quality of life
Thymic Support & Age-Related Decline
Test thymic extract on age-related immune decline
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Test thymic extract on age-related immune decline
Dose
Oral thymic extract
Participants
30
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Improved T-cell diversity; thymic output markers elevated; NK cell function partially restored; well-tolerated in elderly
How They Measured It
T-cell subsets, thymic output markers, NK cell function
Review thymosin alpha-1 clinical applications in immune modulation
Study Type
Review Article
Purpose
Review thymosin alpha-1 clinical applications in immune modulation
Dose
Various
Participants
15
Duration
Various
Results
Thymosin alpha-1 effective across viral hepatitis, cancer, and immunodeficiency; FDA-approved in some countries
How They Measured It
Narrative review of thymosin clinical trial data
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Thymus Extract research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Thymus Extract (Thymic extract (thymosin fraction)), involving 548 total participants. Research covers Immune Modulation, T-Cell Function, Thymic Support and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Thymus Extract has been researched for: Immune Modulation, T-Cell Function, Thymic Support, Infection Resistance. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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