Interactions between the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal axis and the thymus in the rat: a role for corticotrophin in the control of thymulin release.

Buckingham JC, Safieh B, Singh S, Arduino LA, Cover PO, Kendall MD

Journal of neuroendocrinology1 Jun 1992Cited by 15 (Europe PMC)

PMID21554609DOI10.1111/j.1365-2826.1992.tb00171.xPepBankPUB-21554609

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 study13

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics
In rats, injected thymulin increased plasma concentrations through 30 min, followed by levels below vehicle controls within 24 h.
In plain wordsIn rats, injected thymulin first increased blood levels, which later fell below vehicle controls.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
MixedPlasma thymulin time course
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Comparator
Corresponding vehicle-treated controls
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
0.1 and 10 μg/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
Administration of thymulin (0.1 and 10 μg/kg ip) produced, within 10 min, striking increases in the plasma thymulin concentration which were still evident at 30 min. The peptide concentration then declined rapidly and, within 24 h, was lower than that in the corresponding vehicle-treated controls.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
Report a problemFND-2155460910
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, thymulin treatment did not affect serum corticosterone concentrations.
In plain wordsIn rats, thymulin did not change blood corticosterone levels.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
No significant changeSerum corticosterone
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Stress hormones · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
0.1 and 10 μg/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
The serum concentrations of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone were unaffected by the thymulin treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
Report a problemFND-2155460911
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, thymulin treatment did not affect serum luteinizing hormone concentrations.
In plain wordsIn rats, thymulin did not change blood luteinizing hormone levels.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
No significant changeSerum luteinizing hormone
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Sex hormones and fertility · Endocrine and hormones
Studied dose
0.1 and 10 μg/kg · intraperitonealAs given in this study (rat).
Source sentences
Summary
The serum concentrations of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone were unaffected by the thymulin treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
Report a problemFND-2155460912

Natural levels measured10

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.

04AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Activity measurement
In male Sprague-Dawley rats, immunoreactive thymulin was detectable in plasma.
In plain wordsIn rats, natural thymulin was detectable in blood.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
Not applicablePlasma detection
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Immunoreactive thymulin was readily detectable in plasma from male Sprague-Dawley rats(≃200 g).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460901
05AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, chronic bilateral adrenalectomy increased plasma thymulin significantly.
In plain wordsIn rats, adrenal gland removal increased natural thymulin levels.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
IncreasePlasma thymulin after adrenalectomy
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Chronic bilateral adrenalec-tomy, which effectively removed endogenous corticosterone, produced highly significant (P<0.01) increases in the plasma concentrations of both ACTH and thymulin.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460902
06AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In adrenalectomized rats, dexamethasone maintained plasma thymulin at levels not significantly different from sham-operated controls.
In plain wordsIn rats without adrenal glands, dexamethasone maintained natural thymulin levels similar to sham-operated controls.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
No significant changePlasma thymulin with dexamethasone
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Comparator
Sham-operated controls
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Treatment of the adrenalectomized rats with dexamethasone, in a dose sufficient to suppress the hypersecretion of ACTH, maintained the plasma thymulin at a low level which did not differ significantly (P > 0.2) from that in sham-operated controls.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460903
07AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, saline injection produced small plasma thymulin rises at 10 min and 6 h, followed by values indistinguishable from uninjected controls.
In plain wordsIn rats, saline injection briefly increased natural thymulin levels, which later matched levels in uninjected controls.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
MixedPlasma thymulin after saline injection
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Comparator
Uninjected controls
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
The saline vehicle (2.0 ml/kg ip) also produced a small increase in plasma thymulin concentration which was maximal at 10 min; a further small rise was evident 6 h after the injection but thereafter the thymulin values were indistinguishable from those in uninjected controls.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460913
08LabEndogenous levelEx vivo tissueMechanism
In rat thymic tissue, potassium caused significant calcium-dependent increases in thymulin release.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, potassium increased natural thymulin release from rat thymic tissue through a calcium-dependent process.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
IncreaseThymulin release with potassium
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat thymic tissue segments
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
In vitro, two non-specific depolarizing agents, K(+) (56 mM) and veratridine (10 ≃M), caused significant (P<0.01) Ca(2+) -dependent increases in thymulin release from segments of rat thymic tissue.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460904
09LabEndogenous levelEx vivo tissueMechanism
In rat thymic tissue, veratridine caused significant calcium-dependent increases in thymulin release.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, veratridine increased natural thymulin release from rat thymic tissue through a calcium-dependent process.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
IncreaseThymulin release with veratridine
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat thymic tissue segments
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
In vitro, two non-specific depolarizing agents, K(+) (56 mM) and veratridine (10 ≃M), caused significant (P<0.01) Ca(2+) -dependent increases in thymulin release from segments of rat thymic tissue.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460905
10LabEndogenous levelEx vivo tissueMechanism
In rat thymic tissue, ACTH stimulated concentration-dependent thymulin release at 0.025 to 1 ng/ml.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, ACTH increased natural thymulin release from rat thymic tissue in a concentration-dependent manner.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
IncreaseACTH-stimulated thymulin release
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat thymic tissue segments
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
The secretory responses to ACTH (0.025 to 1 ng/ml) were concentration-dependent but a very high concentration (2 ng/ml) of the peptide was without effect.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Their effects were mimicked by ACTH(1-39) .
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460906
11LabEndogenous levelEx vivo tissueMechanism
In rat thymic tissue, ACTH at 2 ng/ml did not affect thymulin release.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, the high ACTH concentration did not change natural thymulin release from rat tissue.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
No significant changeThymulin release at high ACTH
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat thymic tissue segments
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
The secretory responses to ACTH (0.025 to 1 ng/ml) were concentration-dependent but a very high concentration (2 ng/ml) of the peptide was without effect.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460907
12LabEndogenous levelEx vivo tissueMechanism
In rat thymic tissue, dexamethasone reduced spontaneous thymulin release significantly.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, dexamethasone reduced natural thymulin release from rat tissue.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
DecreaseSpontaneous thymulin release with dexamethasone
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat thymic tissue segments
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Dexamethasone (0.1 μM) reduced (P<0.05) the spontaneous release of thymulin in vitro but potentiated markedly (P<0.01) the secretory responses to ACTH (0.5 to 1.0 ng/ml).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460908
13LabEndogenous levelEx vivo tissueMechanism
In rat thymic tissue, dexamethasone potentiated ACTH-stimulated thymulin release significantly.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, dexamethasone strengthened ACTH-induced release of natural thymulin from rat tissue.
Peptide
Thymulin (serum thymic factor)
Outcome
IncreaseACTH-induced thymulin release with dexamethasone
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Rat thymic tissue segments
Outcome group
Endogenous peptide levels · Endocrine and hormones
Source sentences
Summary
Dexamethasone (0.1 μM) reduced (P<0.05) the spontaneous release of thymulin in vitro but potentiated markedly (P<0.01) the secretory responses to ACTH (0.5 to 1.0 ng/ml).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In the present study, we have used the rat as a model in order to examine 1) the effects of corticotrophin (ACTH) and glucocorticoids on the release of thymulin in vivo and in vitro, and 2) the influence of an acute rise in plasma thymulin on the secretion of corticosterone and luteinizing hormone.
This result measures the body's own Thymulin (serum thymic factor). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.
Report a problemFND-2155460909

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.

Version 3Current
21 Oct 2026, 15:58 UTC
Study results updated
Version 2
21 Oct 2026, 13:55 UTC
Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC
Version 1
21 Oct 2026, 12:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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