title: Restoration of polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in elderly subjects by thymomodulin.
abstract: Senescence is a specific physiological evolution of human beings associated with a reduction in the functionality of several apparatuses, including the immune system. Thymomodulin (TMD) contains thymus polypeptides (< 10,000 D) and it has been used in a variety of disorders associated with defective immunological functions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs) phagocytosis and oxidative burst of a 6-week treatment with 160 mg/day TMD orally in elderly subjects (85.5 +/- 9.7 years). Elderly subjects have impaired PMN phagocytosis and the following release of oxidant radicals. Treatment with TMD for 6 weeks had a restoring effect; phagocytosis and the phagocytic index were significantly improved, with increases of 132.6% and 112.5%. These findings indicate that TMD might be given to enhance the immunodefenses of immunocompromised elderly subjects. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence was increased by 15.6%, which was not significant, indicating a different response between phagocytosis and release of oxidant radicals.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dal Sasso
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Piatti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Albanese
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D016897:Respiratory Burst / Q000187:drug effects; D013949:Thymus Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D013949:Thymus Extracts; C051006:thymomodulin