Melatonin is responsible for the nocturnal increase observed in serum and thymus of thymosin alpha1 and thymulin concentrations: observations in rats and humans.

Molinero P, Soutto M, Benot S, Hmadcha A, Guerrero JM

Journal of neuroimmunology1 Mar 2000Cited by 43 (Europe PMC)

PMID10696913DOI10.1016/s0165-5728(99)00237-4PepBankPUB-10696913

Publisher page PubMedAsk about this study

Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study5

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Natural levels measured5

These results measure the body's own peptide. Nobody was given the peptide. They are not evidence about taking it. They are left out of key results, evidence counts and charts.

01HumanEndogenous levelObservational studyOther
In human serum, natural thymosin alpha‑1 showed the same day-night rhythm as in rats.
In plain wordsIn people, the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 levels followed a day-night rhythm like that seen in rats.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseDay-night rhythm of thymosin alpha-1 in human serum
Study
n: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
This rhythmical character for thymosin alpha1, and thymulin was also found in the human serum
This result measures the body's own Thymosin alpha-1. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1069691302
02AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In rats, natural thymosin alpha‑1 concentrations in serum and thymus peaked late at night and were basal during the day.
In plain wordsIn rats, the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 levels were highest late at night and lower during the day.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseDay-night rhythm of thymosin alpha-1 in rat serum and thymus
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
The results revealed the following facts: (a) The concentrations of thymosin alpha1 in both serum and thymus of rat showed a nyctohemeral profile with peak values late at night and basal values during the day.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin alpha-1. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1069691301
03AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In rats, daytime melatonin injection significantly increased the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 concentrations.
In plain wordsIn rats, melatonin injections during the day raised the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 levels.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseThymosin alpha-1 after daytime melatonin injection
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Rats injected with melatonin during the day exhibited a significant increase in the concentrations of both peptides.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The concentrations of thymosin alpha1 in both serum and thymus of rat showed a nyctohemeral profile with peak values late at night and basal values during the day.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin alpha-1. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1069691303
04AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In rats, continuous light exposure at daytime decreased the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 concentrations compared with control rats.
In plain wordsIn rats, constant light exposure lowered the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 levels compared with control rats.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseThymosin alpha-1 after continuous light exposure
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Moreover, continuous light exposure on the animals at daytime and pinealectomy cause a decrease in thymosin a1 and thymulin concentrations with regards to those found in control rats. (c) Melatonin regulates the expression of the prothymosin alpha gene, analyzed by Northern blot.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin alpha-1. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1069691304
05AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Other
In rats, pinealectomy decreased the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 concentrations compared with control rats.
In plain wordsIn rats, removing the pineal gland lowered the body's own thymosin alpha‑1 levels compared with control rats.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseThymosin alpha-1 after pinealectomy
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Source sentences
Summary
Moreover, continuous light exposure on the animals at daytime and pinealectomy cause a decrease in thymosin a1 and thymulin concentrations with regards to those found in control rats. (c) Melatonin regulates the expression of the prothymosin alpha gene, analyzed by Northern blot.
This result measures the body's own Thymosin alpha-1. Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-1069691305

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Versions 4 to 5Current
21 Oct 2026, 13:55 UTC
The same notice was added 2 times, first on 21 Oct 2026, 12:50 UTC. The status did not change between them.
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 3
10 Oct 2026, 08:55 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:02 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

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