Aspirin and thymosin increase interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma production by human peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Hsia. J J; Sarin. N N; Oliver. J H JH; Goldstein. A L AL
Key Findings
- Aspirin, thymosin‑alpha‑1, and a thymic extract each increased IFN‑γ production in lab‑grown lymphocytes stimulated with PHA.
- Oral aspirin in healthy volunteers raised both IFN‑γ (peak at 24 h) and IL‑2 (peak at 10 h) levels in blood.
- The immune‑boosting actions of aspirin required macrophages and were additive with the thymic extract, implying separate pathways.
Practical Outcomes
- For biohackers, low‑dose aspirin (e.g., 81 mg daily) may modestly enhance immune cytokine activity, but benefits are modest and bleeding risk must be considered. Thymosin‑alpha‑1 could be added for a potentially synergistic effect, though it requires a prescription and is costly. Any regimen should start with low doses, monitor tolerance, and not replace proven health practices.
Summary
The study shows that both aspirin and the peptide thymosin‑alpha‑1 can boost the production of immune‑signalling proteins IL‑2 and IFN‑γ by white blood cells, and that taking aspirin orally in healthy people also raises these cytokines in the blood. The effects are dose‑dependent and seem to work through different mechanisms, suggesting they could be combined for stronger immune activation.
Abstract
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) have recently been added to the arsenal of synthetic biological response modifiers with important immunomodulatory activities. In this paper we have assessed the effects of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), thymosin alpha and thymosin fraction 5 (TF5), a partially purified calf thymic preparation, on production of IFN-gamma in vitro. Stimulation by oral aspirin of IL-2 and IFN-gamma production by peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) was also studied in healthy human volunteers. Aspirin, thymosin alpha 1 and TF5 were all observed to enhance phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated production of IFN-gamma. Peak IFN-gamma production by PHA-stimulated PBLs was observed after 24 h of incubation with TF5 and after 72 h with aspirin. Stimulation by aspirin and TF5 required the presence of macrophages, and was additive and dose-dependent. The additive effects of aspirin and TF5 suggest that these agents act by different mechanisms. Oral administration of aspirin in normal volunteers significantly enhanced production of both IFN-gamma and IL-2. PHA-stimulated IFN-gamma production was greatest 24 h after aspirin ingestion; in contrast, IL-2 production was optimal 10 h after aspirin ingestion. These observations suggest that oral aspirin is an effective biological response modifier in humans and raise the possibility of a novel combination approach to immunomodulation involving cyclooxygenase inhibitors and thymosins.
Study Information
pubmed
1989
1989-05-01T00:00:00.000Z
10.1016/0162-3109(89)90045-3
45
23