In a rat study, giving thymosin‑alpha‑1 after a severe abdominal infection lowered harmful inflammation markers, boosted anti‑inflammatory signals and T‑cell numbers, helped keep protein levels up, and cut the death rate over a week.

To investigate the effect of thymosin alpha1 on immunological function and protein metabolism in peritoneal sepsis rats. We observed the effect of thymosin alpha1 on T cell subclassification, TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-10, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and mortality in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced septic rats. Concentration of TNFalpha and IL-6 in CLP induced septic rats increased significantly, and concentration of IL-10 decreased significantly compared to control group. Thymosin alpha1 significantly decreased TNFalpha, IL-6, and significantly raised concentration of plasma IL-10, percent of CD(3), CD(4), and CD(4)/CD(8) in septic group. Thymosin alpha1 reduced degressive degree of albumin. Concentration of CRP increased in both septic groups, but was less prominently in thymosin alpha1 treated group. Thymosin alpha1 reduced cumulate 7-day mortality. Thymosin alpha1 can improve immunological function, inflammation condition and protein metabolism.