Group of Chinese researchers retrospectively analysed clinical data of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. In paper published in „Clinical Infectious Diseases” they describe significant difference in mortality between those treated with addition of Thymosin Alpha 1 (Tα1) and treated without which was 11% and 30% respectively.
From COVID-19 patients who were administered to 2 hospitals in Wuhan, China, from December 2019 to March 2020, 76 severe cases hospitalized for at 10 days were reviewed. Out of them 36 cases were treated with subcutaneous injections of Tα1 for at least 7 consecutive days and 40 were not. At admission there were no significant differences between 2 groups in terms of demographic or clinical characteristic. Researchers studied available data such as clinical records, laboratory findings and test results.
Since there have not been developed specific drug for SARS-CoV-2 infection, the only way to fight it is to increase number of T-cells and rise their antiviral functions. Thymus polypeptide hormone Tα1 is known to regulate production, differentiation and activity of T-cells, so was chosen as additional treatment to standard antibacterial and antiviral treatment. The most interesting finding was death of 4 out of 36 (11.11%) Tα1-treated group versus 12 out of 40 (30%) in non-treated, which hints Tα1 effectiveness.
Other part of study was whether restoration of T-cell numbers happens by Tα1. It led to conclusion that effect takes place in patients with low numbers of T-cells or in elderly patients. That means Tα1 might be especially useful for COVID-19 patients with lymphocytopenia.
In this research paper was also shown that treating patients with Tα1 can counter T-cells exhaustion during SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Although research has limitations as being retrospective, having small sample, short time period and not all clinical data was available from every patient, it shows potential for limiting immune system damage and improving health regeneration during COVID-19 illness.
We would like to notice that the medical product TFX is a fraction of biologically active peptides isolated from calf thymus and shows immunomodulatory properties. It substitutes thymus function which is necessary for properly working immune system. Perennial application of preparation showed positive effect on diseases with immune deficiency. There were obtained beneficial clinical test results in virus diseases (flu). Research showed presence of Thymosin Alpha 1 and Thymosin Beta 4 in TFX which in light of aforementioned study have crucial role in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection. Full article can be found here: https://academic.oup.com/cid/article/71/16/2150/5842185