Thymalin / Thymogen
Thymalin (calf-thymus polypeptide complex) / Thymogen (synthetic Glu-Trp dipeptide; active fraction)
Khavinson family bioregulator developed at the Saint Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology. Two product variants for one bioactive entity: Thymalin is a polypeptide complex extracted from calf thymus glands, registered as a pharmaceutical in Russia since 1982 for immune restoration. Thymogen is the synthesized dipeptide Glu-Trp identified by Khavinson's group as Thymalin's primary active component. We treat them as one entry because clinical data largely use 'Thymalin' but the mechanism studied is Thymogen. Most efficacy data is from one Russian lab; independent Western replication is limited.
At a glance
- Routes
- IM · SubQ · Oral
- Vial sizes
- 10 mg · 20 mg
- Evidence base
- 3 studies 1 human · 1 review · 1 preclinical
Mechanism
Per the Khavinson 'short-peptide bioregulator' hypothesis, Glu-Trp is proposed to enter immune cells (T-lymphocytes, dendritic cells) and modulate gene expression: specifically heat-shock protein synthesis, cytokine production (IL-2, interferon), and lymphocyte differentiation, by binding DNA promoter regions and converting silent heterochromatin into active euchromatin. Mechanism is contested in mainstream pharmacology because dipeptides are normally degraded in serum within minutes. Clinically used as immune restorers post-infection, post-surgery, post-chemo/radiation, and in age-related immune decline. Khavinson's largest observational study (~2003) reported 2.0-2.1x reduction in mortality in elderly patients on Thymalin over multiple years.
Dosing
Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 1 of 3 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.
Published evidence
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Human observational 2003
Peptides of pineal gland and thymus prolong human life
12-15 year observational study in 266 elderly patients reported 2.0-2.1x mortality reduction in Thymalin group; 4.1x reduction with combined Thymalin + Epithalamin vs control. Single-lab observational data.
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Review 2021
The Use of Thymalin for Immunocorrection and Molecular Aspects of Biological Activity
Comprehensive review of 40 years of Thymalin clinical use; documents indications for immunodepression, post-infection recovery, post-radiation, with broad reported safety. Single-lab review.
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Animal in vivo 2001
Immunomodulatory synthetic dipeptide L-Glu-L-Trp slows down aging and inhibits spontaneous carcinogenesis in rats
Glu-Trp dipeptide extended maximum lifespan ~10% in treated rats and reduced total tumor incidence 1.5-fold; hematopoietic malignancies reduced 3.4-fold.
Reported side effects
- Injection site reaction
- Occasional Mild · Mild local reaction at IM/SubQ site; typical of polypeptide injectables.
- Transient mild fatigue
- Rare Mild · Reported by some users on first 1-2 doses; theorized as immune activation effect.
- Long-term safety unverified outside Russia
- Unknown Mild · 40 years of Khavinson group reporting clean safety, but no large Western RCT replication.
Interactions
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Epithalon Synergy
Khavinson 'pineal-thymus pair': pineal peptide + thymic peptide for combined immune + circadian restoration.
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Vilon Redundant
Vilon (KE) is a peptide derived from analysis of Thymalin's active fraction.
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Thymosin Alpha-1 Synergy
Both are thymic peptides but target different pathways (TA-1 = TLR2/9 modulation; Thymalin = chromatin remodeling).
Reconstitution and storage
10 mg lyophilized vial; reconstitute with 2 mL BAC water = 5 mg/mL. 5 mg dose = 1 mL. Standard for IM/SubQ.
Lyophilized: refrigerate for long-term, stable RT short-term. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within 30 days.