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Microfluidics based systems could be useful for drug discovery as they allow for miniaturization and could potentially be run as multiple parallel cell based assays. Such miniaturization allows assays at single cell level and reduces the amount of test material needed, which, in the case of natural product extracts, simplifies the preparation. Thyme species extracts have been reported to show some promising anti-cancer effects. In the present work, we used a microfluidics based system to study the effects of Thymus kotschyanusm Boiss plant extract on two human breast cancer cells lines which are MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. For better understanding a single cancer cell death mechanism and a flow control, a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microfluidic device has been fabricated. The morphology of single cancer cells in the microfluidic system showed that the higher concentration of plant Thymus extract (560 µg/ml) had a significant effect on the cell membrane compared to the lower concentration (15 µg/ml). In addition, the results showed that MDA-MB-231 cells were more sensitive to the cytotoxic effects of the extracts compared to the MCF-7 cells. These results concur with the MTT assay analysis that showed the IC50 values of the extract in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells to be 15 µg/ml and 60 µg/ml, respectively. This proof-of-principle study suggests the possibility of the use of microfluidics systems for natural product research. These systems could allow the development of miniaturized multiple parallel cell based assays which are measured with sensors and used for natural product drug discovery consistent with the needs of Industry 4.0.

Background The plant species Rosmarinus officinalis (RO), Thymus algeriensis (TA) and Thymus capitatus (TC) are widely used in traditional medicine in Tunisia. Their bioactivities have been reported before and particularly referred to their essential oils. The main objective of this work was to assess the phytochemical composition, the antioxidant activity, the antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic potential of these 3 plants. Method The High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), chemical tests and spectrophotometric methods were used for screening, quantification of phytochemicals and for antioxidant activities. Extracts were evaluated for antibacterial potential by the microdilution method. Antifungal activities were tested using the Poisoned food method against: Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The cytotoxic potential of the plant extracts was checked using HCT 116 cultures. Results Results revealed that aqueous extracts are not toxic compared to the methanolic extracts. Phenolic compounds were detected and these extracts showed excellent antioxidant activity presenting dose-dependent relationship. For antibacterial potential, all tested strains are more sensitive to Thymus extracts than Rosmarinus extracts. However, for antifungal activities, only Rosmarinus extracts inhibited mycelial growth. HPLC analysis allowed the identification of ten compounds with the abundance of gallic acid. Conclusion This study showed important bioactivities (antioxidant, antimicrobial, and safety potential) of the plant species RO, TA and TC used in traditional medicine.

The present study aimed to evaluate antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of the ethanolic extracts of six selectedThymusspecies growing in Croatia (T. longicaulis,T. praecoxsubsp.polytrichus,T. pulegioides,T. serpyllumsubsp.serpyllum,T. striatus, andT. vulgaris). Antioxidant effectiveness was assessed using six different assays, in comparison with rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and reference antioxidants. All testedThymusextracts possessed DPPH (IC50= 3–6 μg/mL) and nitric oxide (IC50= 70–177 μg/mL) free radical scavenging activities, strong reducing properties (IC50= 11–15 μg/mL), ferrous ion chelating activity (IC50= 126–389 μg/mL), ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation (IC50= 34–80 μg/mL), and high total antioxidant capacities (238–294 mg AAE/g). AChE inhibitory activity was examined using Ellman's colorimetric method and all tested extracts showed anti-AChE activity in a dose dependent manner. The values of 10–28%, 23–39%, and 64–86% were obtained for tested concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/mL, respectively. Additionally, the contents of total hydroxycinnamic derivatives, flavonoids, and tannins in dried plant samples were determined spectrophotometrically. Our results highlightedThymusspecies as a rich source of natural antioxidants and AChE inhibitors that could be useful in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Aim. To study the efficiency of individual and combined use of thymus extract (tactivin) and vitamine E (tocopherol) for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt hepatotoxicity correction. Methods. Experiments were carried out on 75 white non-imbred mature rats. Animals were distributed to 5 groups 15 animals each: controls, receiving 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt, receiving 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt and tactivin, receiving 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt and tocopherol, receiving 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt and both tactivin and tocopherol. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt (42 mg/kg) was introduced into the stomach during 28 days. Tocopherol (50 mg/ kg) and Tactivin (0,25 mg/kg) were injected from day 1 to day 6 after the discontinuation of toxin administration. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, total and direct bilirubin were examined. The liver morphological state was assessed by microscopy of the liver tissue slices stained with hematoxylin and eosin, electron microscopy was also performed.The results were registered on the 7th day after the toxin discontinuation. Results. 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt led to alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, total and direct bilirubin levels increase. Hemodynamic alterations, reduced number of mitoses, increased number of necrotic hepatocytes, fiber tissue scarring were observed morphologically. The use of tactivin reduced the severity of morphological changes, and decreased, but did not normalized the level of transaminases and bilirubin. The use of tocopherol normalized the level of transaminases, bilirubin, there were morphological signs of the regeneration processes and hepatocyte mitotic activity intensification. The combined use of tactivin and tocopherol normalized alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase bilirubin levels. Morphologically, signs of regenerative processes and protein synthesis activation were observed in hepatocytes. Conclusion. Tocopherol and Tactivin effectively compensate the hepatotoxic effect of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid amine salt, the best result was obtained when both of the drugs used in combination.

Zu den unspezifischen in der Onkologie verwendeten Immunstimulanzien gehoren Thymuspraparate, Faktor AF2, Biobran® und Avemar®. Hinweise auf mogliche Wirkmechanismen stammen aus praklinischen Untersuchungen. Fur Thymuspraparate liegt eine Reihe klinischer Studien v. a. zur supportiven Therapie vor. Ein uberzeugender Wirkungsnachweis gelang bisher nicht. Fur keines der Praparate liegen belastbare Untersuchungsergebnisse vor, die eine antitumorale Wirkung belegen. Eine Indikation fur den Einsatz dieser Praparate auserhalb von Studien gibt es deshalb derzeit nicht.

Immunomodulation is a phenomenon that is based on the influence of different endogenous and exogenous substances on the function of molecules and cells pertaining to the immune system. Some components extracted from the bovine thymus have immunomodulating features and can, both in animals and humans, by suppressing the immune response (humoral and/or cellular) bring about immunostimulation and increased organism resistance. In this paper the effects of bovine thymus extract (Thymex - L) on the parameters of humoral immune response (concentration of antibodies to tetanus toxoid - ATTx) and cellular immune response (interleukin 2 - IL-2, interferon γ - IFN-γ and degree of cutaneus basophyl hypersensitivity - CBHR) in rats previously irradiated by X-rays at a dose of 4 or 6 Gy. The studied thymus extract had shown positive effects on IL-2 and IFN-γ serum concentrations in irradiated rats. In the group of rats irradiated with 4 Gy the effects were evident on the 7th day of the trial. Rats irradiated with the higher dose (6 Gy) experienced the positive effects of thymus extract on the 21st day of the experiment. In the skin PHA hypersensitivity test, a positive effect was also recorded, being more pronounced in rats which received the lower irradiation dose. The tested thymus extract had shown a positive effect on the concentration of ATTx as early as the 14th day of the trial. Pojedini sastojci ekstrakta goveđeg timusa imaju imunomodulatorna svojstva i mogu, kod ljudi i životinja, sa suprimiranim funkcijama imunskog sistema (humoralnim i/ili celularnim) dovesti do imunostimulacije. U ovom radu su prikazani rezultati ispitivanja efekata preparata Thymex-L dobijenog iz ekstrakta goveđ eg timusa na parametre humoralnog imunskog odgovora pacova kod kojih je prethodno izvršeno jednokratno ozračivanje X zracima u dozi od 4 ili 6 Gy. Određivani su sledeći parametri: koncentracija interleukina 2 (IL-2), interferona γ (IFN-γ), koncentracija antitela posle vakcinacije i revakcinacije tetanusnim toksoidom (ATTx) i stepen kožne preosetljivosti (CBHR) na biljni mitogen (PHA) Ispitivani ekstrakt je ispoljio pozitivan efekat na koncentraciju IL-2 i IFN-γ u serumu ozračenih pacova. Ovaj pozitivan efekat je, kod grupe pacova koja je primila nižu dozu zračenja, vidljiv već nakon 7. dana eksperimenta, dok je kod pacova ozračenih višom dozom zračenja pozitivan efekat registrovan 21. dana eksperimenta. Pri proceni stepena reakcije kožne preosetljivosti na PHA, registrovan je pozitivan efekat primenjenog ekstrakta timusa i on je bio izraženiji kod jedinki kod kojih je bila primenjena niža doza zračenja. Ispitivani ekstrakt goveđeg timusa je ispoljio pozitivan efekat i na koncentraciju ATTx i to već 14. dana eksperimenta.

Two components of the thymic microenvironment have been separated, and their biological properties have been studied. The first component, soluble thymic factor (STF), after injection into syngeneic recipients, provoked a temporary decrease in thymic weight on day 7, concomitant with an increase in the level of T cells in lymph nodes (but not in the spleen), followed by a general hypertrophy of lymph nodes peaking on day 21. In contrast, after the injection of the second component, insoluble thymic fraction (ITF), there was an increase in the number of prothymocytes in the thymic subcapsulary cortex, followed by general thymic hypertrophy on days 14 and 21. STF is believed to trigger a selective migration of lymph-node-seeking T cells from the thymus, whereas ITF seems to play a role in the differentiation step preceding that imparted by STF.

Identification of a thymus-seeding progenitor originating from human bone marrow (BM) constitutes a key milestone in understanding the mechanisms of T cell development and provides new potential for correcting T cell deficiencies. We report the characterization of a novel lymphoid-restricted subset, which is part of the lineage-negative CD34(+)CD10(+) progenitor population and which is distinct from B cell-committed precursors (in view of the absence of CD24 expression). We demonstrate that these Lin(-)CD34(+)CD10(+)CD24(-) progenitors have a very low myeloid potential but can generate B, T, and natural killer lymphocytes and coexpress recombination activating gene 1, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase, PAX5, interleukin 7 receptor alpha, and CD3epsilon. These progenitors are present in the cord blood and in the BM but can also be found in the blood throughout life. Moreover, they belong to the most immature thymocyte population. Collectively, these findings unravel the existence of a postnatal lymphoid-polarized population that is capable of migrating from the BM to the thymus.

In previous studies it has been suggested that activation of cellular immunity may have a role in controlling the activity of chronic non-A, non-B liver disease. We conducted a pilot study of therapy with a bovine thymus extract for 6 weeks in 15 consecutive patients with chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis, most of them sporadic cases. Treatment induced immunomodulation, and in five patients a significant but transient diminution in aminotransferase levels was observed associated with increments in several parameters of cellular immunity. This suggests that a longer administration of this or other related compounds, or treatment with a more potent immunomodulating agent, might be effective in these patients.

The aim of this study was to test the immunobiological properties of a new formulation of the lipid thymus calf extract (Thymsol), prepared for in vitro cell culture experiments. At first, we showed that Thymsol enhanced the antigen specific immune response in AO rats in vitro, using Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). At lower concentrations (0.5-2.5 I¼g mL-1) the extract increased the proliferation of rat spleen lymphocytes in vitro, stimulated with suboptimal concentrations of Concanavalin A (ConA) or anti-T-cell receptor (TCR) monoclonal antibody (mAb), followed by an increase in the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Stimulation of IL-2 production was additionally enhanced in the presence of a blocking anti-IL-2 receptor I± mAb. Higher concentrations of Thymsol (20-60 I¼g mL-1) showed a dose-dependent inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation. After testing the variability in IL-2 production by anti-TCR mAb-activated splenocytes, using several stimulatory concentrations of different Thymsol samples, and the production of this cytokine by different cultures of splenocytes treated with the same Thymsol sample, we proposed an IL-2-based method for quantification of the immunobiological activity of the extract.

A calf thymus extract was prepared and fractionated into lipid and non-lipid fractions. The non-lipid fraction was isolated from the calf thymus extract using the Folch method. The components isolated from the non-lipid fraction were characterized by IR, NMR, biuret and HPLC method. The results of the analyses indicated the presence of peptides. The lipid fraction contained phospholipids, glycolipids and neutral lipids. The biological activity of both the isolated lipid and peptide fractions was determined by the in vivo hemolytic plaques method in Wistar rats with an involuted thymus. The peptide and phospholipid fractions of the thymus extract showed a significant increase of hemolytic plaques. The glycolipid and neutral lipid fraction failed to express a significant immunological response.

The effect of administration of calf thymus extract (CTE) with protein concentration of 1.8mg/ml was studied using two groups of day old layer chicks. Both the groups were vaccinated with 'F' and 'R2B' strains of New Castle Disease Virus (NDV) vaccines on 7th day and 8th week respectively. One group was administered with 1.8mg of thymic proteins intraperitoneally, one week prior and one week after each vaccination. The other group remained as vaccinated control group. Humoral and cell mediated responses were evaluated 15 days after each vaccination. Intraperitoneal administration of calf thymus extract markedly and significantly increased the antibody titres against NDV, serum globulin level, and percentage of lymphocytes in the blood. In addition thymus extract resulted in definite and significant cellular immunopotentiation.

Neonatal thymus graft and thymus calf extract (TME) in vivo treatment exert similar corrective actions on different mouse age-related alterations. The aim of the present paper is to investigate whether a vegetal extract, wheat sprout extract (WESPRE), could mimic the thymus action on recovering age-related alterations and if this extract can cure an age-associated pathology, the cataract in dogs. Present experiments were carried out by using WESPRE and TME in vivo in old mice to check their ability to recover the altered DNA synthesis in hepatocyte primary cultures. Old mice treated with WESPRE and TME showed a recovery of hepatocyte DNA synthesis levels when compared with the old untreated ones. The increase of DNA and protein contents observed in aged animals is reduced by WESPRE treatments to levels observed in young mice hepatocytes. We measured also WESPRE phosphorylation activity by endogenous kinase: it was from 10 to 40 times higher with respect to wheat seeds. Old dogs were orally treated for a month and the lens opacity analysed before and after the treatment. Results showed a reduction from 25 to 40% of lens opacity. The efficacy of wheat sprouts in the recovery of age-related alterations and in treating age-associated pathologies could be due to the contemporary presence of small regulatory acid peptides, a remarkable level of highly energetic phosphoric radicals and antioxidant molecules, peculiarities that may be, to some extent, related to the aging process regulation.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection is a serious problem because of its worldwide distribution and possible adverse chronic sequelae, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Chronic hepatitis B infection is a dynamic state of interactions between the virus, hepatocyte and host immune response. Interferon-alpha and direct antiviral agents, such as lamivudine (Epivir, GlaxoSmithKline), are effective in the therapy of chronic HBV infection but the efficacy is far from satisfactory. Thymalfasin (thymosin alpha1; Talpha1, Zadaxintrade mark, SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) is a 28-amino acid polypeptide produced synthetically but originally isolated from thymosin fraction 5, a bovine thymus extract containing a number of immunologically active peptides. In vitro studies have shown that Talpha1 can influence T-cell production and maturation, stimulate production of Th1 cytokines such as interferon-gamma and interleukin-2, and activate natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Seven randomized controlled studies on Talpha1 monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B showed that 6 months treatment with Talpha1 (1.6 mg twice-weekly) resulted in a significantly higher sustained response rate than untreated controls. The benefits of Talpha1 therapy is usually not immediately apparent during therapy. There is a trend for complete virological response to increase or accumulate gradually after the end of thymosin therapy. The results of Talpha1 and interferon combination therapy in two open-label trials were also promising. In terms of the mechanisms of action, a combination of Talpha1 and nucleoside or nucleotide analogs is a logical approach in the control of chronic HBV infection and a randomized control study is ongoing.

T cell differentiation in the thymus depends on sequential interactions between lymphoid progenitors and stromal cells in discrete regions of the cortex. Here, we show that despite αEβ7 expression by a subset of the earliest intrathymic precursors (and E-cadherin expression by thymic stroma), interaction of these elements is not required for proper localization of early progenitors into the cortex, or for successful steady state differentiation. These findings indicate that despite in vitro data demonstrating αEβ7 mediated adhesion and proliferation of intrathymic T cell precursor populations, T lymphocyte development can proceed independently of αEβ7/E-cadherin interactions.

The studies were carried out on Balb/c mice (5-6 weeks of age) exposed to immunosuppression by a single intraperitoneal dose (125 mg/kg) of hydrocortisone. Prior to hydrocortisone injection the mice were treated with diethyldithiocarbamate (DTC) intra-peritoneally at a dose of 20 mg/kg, five times at 48 h intervals or calf thymus extract (TFX) at a dose of 10 mg/kg, 10 times at 24 h intervals. The two drugs were used per se or in zinc ions interactions, by adding zinc ions (as sulphate salt) to drinking water at a dose of 72 microg/mouse per day. The results obtained in the study show that hydrocortisone injection drastically decreases the number of thymocytes and splenocytes, which is also accompanied by a decreasing weight ratio of the thymus and spleen. The decreasing number of thymic and spleen cells corresponds to a decreasing percentage of CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ splenocytes and double positive CD4+CD8+ thymocytes. Changes in the number of thymic cells affect their activity, which is expressed in a decreased proliferative response of thymocytes stimulated in vitro with concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). It has also been found that a single hydrocortisone dose decreases interleukin (IL)-1 production by murine intraperitoneal macrophages stimulated in vitro with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli. TFX or DTC counteract hydrocortisone-induced immunosuppression, which is expressed in partial normalization of the total number of thymic and spleen cells, accelerated regeneration of the two lymphatic organs, shorter suppressive action of hydrocortisone on the percentage of CD4+, CD8+ splenocytes and double positive (CD4+CD8+) and CD4+ thymocytes. Furthermore, total counteraction against the suppressive action of hydrocortisone to proliferative activity of thymocytes stimulated in vitro with Con A and PHA was observed. TFX administered prior to hydrocortisone injection partially prevented the suppressive action of the drug on IL-1 production by intraperitoneal macrophages, but such an effect was not observed with DTC. The immunorestorative effect of TFX and DTC was augmented by zinc supplementation. The results obtained in the study show that neither TFX nor DTC administration per se and in interaction with zinc supplementation were able to change the suppressive effect of hydrocortisone on the percentage of B splenocytes (CD19+ cells).

Objective To analyze the reaction of lupus sera with proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) multiprotein complexes (PCNA complexes), which are part of the protein machinery involved in cell proliferation. Methods PCNA complexes were purified from rabbit thymus extract by affinity chromatography using anti-PCNA monoclonal antibodies (TOB7, TO17, and TO30); monomeric and trimeric PCNA forms (AK-PCNA) were purified using anti-PCNA serum AK. The reactions to these antigens of 10 anti-PCNA–positive and 40 anti-PCNA–negative sera selected from 560 lupus patients were tested by immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Results With one exception (serum OK), anti-PCNA–positive sera reacted exclusively with only the 34-kd polypeptide. In contrast, 14 of 40 anti-PCNA–negative sera reacted with multiple proteins within PCNA complexes. Most anti-PCNA–positive sera probably recognize as epitopes the binding sites for other proteins on PCNA, which are likely hidden when PCNA is complexed with other proteins. As a consequence, only serum OK reacted with the PCNA complex in a series of ELISAs. Using AK-PCNA as a competitive inhibitor, it was determined that serum OK reacts with both the 58-kd polypeptide and the 34-kd PCNA within complexes. Together with the results of a longitudinal analysis, these results suggest that the immune system of patient OK likely recognized the complexed PCNA protein, after which the autoimmune response spread to other elements of the complexes. Conclusion Intermolecular–intrastructural help, leading to the spread of autoimmune response from PCNA to other proteins associated with its biologic function, plays a crucial role in the induction of the autoimmune response seen in lupus patients.

Proofreading function by the 3'-->5' exonuclease of DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) is consistent with the observation that delta efficiency of the associated exonuclease can lead to a strong mutation phenotype, high error rates during DNA replication, and ultimately cancer. We have isolated pol delta from isotonic (pol delta(i)) and detergent (pol delta(d)) calf thymus extracts. Pol delta had a 20-fold higher ratio of exonuclease to DNA polymerase than pol deltai. This was due to the physical association of the TREX2 3'-->5' exonuclease to pol delta(d), which was missing from pol delta(i). Pol delta(d) was fivefold more accurate than pol i under error-prone conditions (1 mM dGTP and 20 dATP, dCTP, and dTTP) in a M13mp2 DNA forward mutation assay, and fourfold more accurate than pol delta(i) under error-prone conditions (1 mM dGTP and 20 microM dATP, dCTP, and dTTP) in a M13mp2 DNA forward mutation assay, and fourfold more accurate in an M13mp2T90 reversion assay. Under error-free conditions (20 microM each of the four dNTPs), however, both polymerases showed equal fidelity. Our data suggested that autonomous 3' --> 5' exonucleases, such as TREX2, through its association with pol delta can guarantee high fidelity under difficult conditions in the cell (e.g., imbalance of dNTPs) and can add to the accuracy of the DNA replication machinery, thus preventing mutagenesis.

Unidentified precipitin lines (UPLs) are lines in immune precipitin assays which do not characterise with known extractable nuclear antigen (ENA) antibodies. Currently, the clinical significance of UPLs is uncertain.The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and laboratory correlates of UPLs detected over a 3 year period in a regional immunopathology laboratory.A total of 144 patients with UPLs on ENA testing were retrospectively analysed.ENA by counterimmunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was performed on 11,869 patient samples with further characterisation being performed for 1437 positive results. Ten percent of the positive ENAs demonstrated UPLs. The majority of patients with UPLs were female (71%) with an average age of 60 years. Precipitin lines for both continuously growing myeloid cell line K562 and rabbit thymus extract (RTE) were more frequent (47%), compared to K562 only (41%) or RTE only (12%). The most common antinuclear antibody (ANA) patterns associated with UPLs were speckled (29%), homogenous (16%), mixed patterns (14%), with 30% negative ANA and 5% showing cytoplasmic patterns (Golgi, GWB, mitochondrial). Both ANA positive and ANA negative patients with UPLs were generally associated with connective tissue and autoimmune disease with the majority demonstrating a positive association of UPLs with Ro52 and/or Ro60/SSA detected by Euroimmun line immunoassay. UPLs frequently seen with a negative ANA were also identified in renal disease, pulmonary fibrosis/bronchiectasis and malignancy/lymphoma.UPLs have uncertain diagnostic utility at this stage and further work needs to be done to clarify this question. UPLs were found in systemic and organ specific autoimmune disease, renal, pulmonary and neoplastic disorders. UPLs can occur in both ANA positive and ANA negative sera. The nature of the precipitating antigen in UPLs is still obscure.

We studied the effects of tactivin and splenic polypeptides on learning and memory of thymectomized animals. In 3-week rats, thymectomy blocked active avoidance conditioning. Injections of tactivin (0.5 mg/kg) during 1 month after surgery restored learning capacity; splenic polypeptides were ineffective.

Thymus caramanicus Jalasis one of the species of thymus that grows in the wild in different regions of Iran. Traditionally, leaves of this plant are used in the treatment of diabetes, arthritis, and cancerous situation. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the selective cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties ofThymus caramanicusextract (TCE). MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were used in this study. Cytotoxicity of the extract was determined using MTT and neutral red assays. Biochemical markers of apoptosis (caspase 3, Bax, and Bcl-2) and cell proliferation (cyclin D1) were evaluated by immunoblotting. Vincristine was used as anticancer control drug in extract combination therapy. The data showed that incubation of cells with TCE (200 and 250 μg/mL) significantly increased cell damage, activated caspase 3 and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. In addition, cyclin D1 was significantly decreased in TCE-treated cells. Furthermore, concomitant treatment of cells with extract and anticancer drug produced a significant cytotoxic effect as compared to extract or drugs alone. In conclusion, thymus extract has a potential proapoptotic/antiproliferative property against human breast cancer cells and its combination with chemotherapeutic agent vincristine may induce cell death effectively and be a potent modality to treat this type of cancer.

The influence of glucocorticoids on the composition and mineral/organic content of the mandible in tested animals after recovery and healing phase was investigated in this work. The results of FTIR analysis demonstrated that bone tissue composition was changed after glucocorticoid treatment. The increase of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus content and mineral part of bones was statistically significant in recovery phase and in treatment phase that included calcitonin and thymus extract. Some changes also happened in the organic part of the matrix, as indicated by intensity changes for already present IR bands and the appearance of new IR bands in the region 3500–1300 cm−1.

A highly active form of human recombinant deoxyguanosine kinase (dGK) phosphorylated purine nucleoside analogs active against cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B virus, and human immunodeficiency virus, such as penciclovir, 2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine and 3′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxyguanosine. The antiherpesvirus drug ganciclovir, which is also used in gene therapy, was a substrate for dGK, but with low efficiency. ATP and UTP were both good phosphate donors, with apparent K m values of 6 and 4 μM and V max values of 34 and 90 nmol of dGMP/mg of dGK/min, respectively. With a mixture of 5 mM ATP and 0.05 mM UTP, which represent physiologically relevant concentrations, the activities of dGK with ganciclovir and penciclovir was 1% and approximately 10%, respectively, of that with dGuo. The levels of dGK in different tissues were determined with a selective enzyme assay and the total activities per gram of tissues were similar in liver, brain, heart, and thymus extracts. The fact that the cellular dGK enzyme can phosphorylate antiviral guanosine analogs may help to explain the efficacies and side effects of several forms of chemotherapy.

The role that the adaptive immune system has in the control of blood pressure and pathogenesis of hypertension has been of interest to investigators for several decades. Early evidence on this subject in humans showed an enhanced T-lymphocyte activation during malignant hypertension1 and also implicated a role for B lymphocytes, because autoantibody production was elevated in hypertensive patients.2 In addition, early studies in experimental animal models demonstrated that thymectomy cured hypertension in New Zealand black mice3 or that renal-induced hypertension in rats was associated with thymic hypertrophy.4 Moreover, the transplantation of thymus extracts from Wistar-Kyoto rats or immunosuppressive therapy reduced blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats.5,6 Although these studies strongly implicated immune system dysfunction as an important contributor to the development of hypertension, interest in the role for the immune system in blood pressure control appeared to wane. More recently, an interest in the role of the immune system in the development of hypertension has been renewed. In the past several years it is has been difficult to miss the growing body of evidence supporting a mechanistic role for the adaptive immune system. Guzik et al7 demonstrated recently that angiotensin II (Ang II)–dependent hypertension requires T cells but not B cells using RAG1−/− knockout mice, and Crowley et al8 similarly found an important role for adaptive immunity in Ang II–mediated hypertension using severe combined immunodeficient mice. There have also been several studies showing that inhibiting B- and T-cell proliferation with mycophenolate mofetil lowers blood pressure in experimental animal models of hypertension, such as the Dahl salt-sensitive rat.9 In humans, there is not as much direct evidence available supporting a role for adaptive immunity in the pathophysiology of hypertension; however, a small study in 8 patients with essential hypertension (but also rheumatoid …

The effects of crude thymus extract on the immune response and protection against challenge with virulent infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) were studied in one-day-old chick. Oral administration of thymus extract (1 ml/kg) markedly and significantly increased the total protein, albumin, globulin, Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) and the body weight gain in one-day-old chick. In addition, it increased the total lymphocytic count over four weeks after administration. Although vaccination also increased total protein, globulin, T4 and the total lymphocytic count but it significantly decreased the body weight gain of the chick and administration of thymus extract, before, during or after vaccination markedly improved the vaccination effectiveness with significant elevation of the globulin level and body weight gain of the chick. It also prevented the decrease in the relative weights of bursa, spleen and thyroid gland which commonly prevailed during vaccination. Chicken administered thymus extract and vaccinated with infectious bursal disease (IBD) vaccine showed 100% protection against challenge with IBDV. Meanwhile the vaccinated non-thymus treated group exhibited 80% protection against IBDV challenge. These results indicate a potentiating effect of thymus extract on the immune system in baby chick. These findings are supported by ELISA results that showed a marked increase in antibody titers in thymus treated groups. Additionally, microscopical examination of the bursa and the existent lymphoid hyperplasia in thymus treated groups but not vaccinated group support our findings.

The level of natural apoptosis in rat thymus on day 18 of embryo development attained 25%, while at subsequent terms it was about 5%. In the spleen, this parameter gradually decreased from 15 to 37% starting from day 18 of embryo development to postnatal day 30. Tactivin prevented the development of dexamethasone-induced apoptosis in thymocytes of 30-day-old rats, but had no effect on spontaneous apoptosis. Tactivin can be used as a modulator of apoptotic processes.