Impaired T-cell functions in aged guinea-pigs restored by thymostimulin (TS).
The age-related changes of different T-cell activities in guinea pigs and the effect of Thymostimulin (TS), a thymus extract, on the immunocompetence of these cells was studied. Mitogen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was increased by TS in vitro. The intraperitoneal administration of TS (5 mg/kg) to aged animals restored the helper function of T lymphocytes and enhanced the reactivity to mitogens of both peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen lymphocytes. The data obtained suggest that as in other species, there is an age-associated decline of immunological response, in guinea pigs too, probably due to a deficiency of thymic hormone(s) and that TS could correct this deficiency.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D008297:Male; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
D008934:Mitogens; D010835:Phytohemagglutinins; D013949:Thymus Extracts; C031407:thymostimulin; D003208:Concanavalin A; D013936:Thymidine