To understand the function of thymic peptides we have to consider the tasks of the immune defence system. From birth to death living organisms are exposed to billons of bacteriae, viruses, mycels and parasites and at east the immunodefence has the important function to tolerate normal cell division and to eliminate neoplastic cells.

Newborn animals or humans without a correct functioning thymic gland cannot survive for a long time. The immuno surveillance is closely linked to the normal function of the thymus gland. The functions of the thymic gland gradually decline with growing age.
Injectable thymic extracts contain all relevant immunopeptides which are needed to sustain the organismic immunodefence plus several other endocrine and haematopoetic functions.

Formerly immunologists believed that thymic lymphocytes could be differenciated into three subgroups: helper, suppressor and memory. Meanwhile ongoing research has cancelled the so called “T-helper/T-suppressor-Index”. The formerly named suppressor T-cells are mainly working as “killer cells” e.g. to eliminate cancer cells.

Now the T-helper-lymphocyte group can be differentiated into TH-1-lymphocytes and TH-2-lymphocytes. The task of thymic peptides is to maintain the balance between TH1/TH-2-lymphocytes. When the blood content of TH-2-lymphocytes is too high, allergic and autoimmune diseases may develop. Thymus extrac injections help to regain the TH-1/TH-balance!

History of thymus research and treatment with thymic peptides

In 1882 a German surgeon (Professor Friedrich at Frankfurt)  published the results of the extirpation of thymic glands in animals. They were committed to die soon.

Since that time a growing number of publications can be found in the international scientific papers. (Nearly 30 000 in whole).
In the twenties of the last century important international pharmaceutical companies have invested intensively into thymus research and produced thymic peptides for the therapy of diverse diseases. Because thymic peptides cannot be protected by patents the pharmaceutical companies have cancelled their production since the beginning of this century and they have switched to patentable, genetically produced, extremely expensive remedies f.e. interferones, interleukines or diverse monoclonals.

Since 1940 the Svedish doctor Elis Sandberg had treated many thousands of patients with his thymic extract, called TH-10 (TH-X). In 1975 he transferred his method to German doctors. The same time startet a very intensive worldwid research in the field of immunology which helpted to confirm the empirical knowledge of more than a hundred years of thymus therapy. 

Main indications of thymus extracts (TP)

Allergic diseases

Patients with allergic diseases e.g. asthma, neurodermitis, hayfever, sun-light-allergy etc. show generally a disbalance between TH-1  and TH-2 lymphocyte count in their peripheral blood in direction to excess TH-2-lymphocytes. With regular applied injections of thymus extracts the symptoms diminish in most of the cases in the course for some weeks.

Autoimmune diseases
Many publications and therapeutic experiences have documented good results in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, colitis ulcerosa, Morbus Crohn, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases.

Dermatological diseases
Allergic as well as infectious diseases of the skin (e.g. acne vulgaris, impetigo or dermatomycoses) have been treated successfully with thymus extract injections, as it is shown in several scientific publications.

Endocrine dysfunction

Thymic factors influence the function of several endocrine glands.
Pituary function: augmenttion of ACTH followed by activation of suprarenal function (corticoids).
Parathyreoids: influences on calcium metabolism fostering the influx into bone structures (melioration of osteoporotic conditions).
Thyreoids: activation of thyreoid hormones. (Attention in cases of Graves disease, endophthalmic goiter)
Insulin production is slightly elevated during 1 day after thymus extract injection.
Sexual glands: influences on testosterone production and balancing effects on ovarial functions.

Geriatric diseases

Thymic extract therapy is indicated in all cases with tendencies of premature aging
immunodeficiencies. Thymus extract therapy is essential for antiaging cures together with orthomolecular supplementation e.g. with minerals, spare elements, vitamins, omega-3-fatty acids, coenzyme Q-10, intestinal lactobacterial compounds and digestive enzymes.

Immunodeficiencies and chronic infective diseases
Thymic extract application  is one of the most successful therapy methods to meliorate definitely states of chronic infectious diseases, may that be of bacterial, viral, mycotic or parasitic origin.

Neuro-psychiatric diseases

Thymic factors show remarkable influences on the endorphine and melatonine production which help to overcome states of depression and burn out situations. Patients having got thymus extract injections feel generally better for at least one to two weeks afterwords.

Thymic extracts for surgical assistance (pre– and postoperative care)
Hospitalism infections are a well known danger to patients with immunsystem depression
The immunologist Professor Hobbs (London) found out that more than 20% of patiens in clinical care showed distinct signs of T-celluar immunodeficiency which could be reversed with thymic factor therapy.

Thymic extracts in tumor diseases (cancer, malignancies)
Tumor diseases depress the immune system generally.  Surgical, radiological and especially applications of cytostatics influence the immunesystem negatively. Nearly all kinds of malignancies can and should be treated with thymus extracts.

Treatment schedules for thymus extract injections

Thymus extracts are generally well tolerated. Slight swellings and reddening at the site of s.c. or i.m. injection indicate a good systemic immunological reaction. Cancer patients generally do not show such signs until their immune defence system has been restored sufficiently.
The injections of orgnoextracts can be given either aubcutaneously or intramuscular (glutaeal).

General practice

In general practice with patients living in the same aerea the thymus extract therapy can be started with daily injections of one vial 5 times a week, followed by 4 to 3 to 2 and 1 injection per each week. The proceeding therapy should be adjusted in regard to the general wellbeing and reactions of the patient. Mostly one s. c. or i. m. injection every fourteen days or once a month may be sufficient for maintaining the therapeutic effect, especially in patients with chronic diseases or elderly persons.

Clinical therapy