Ulinastatin and/or thymosin α1 for severe sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Feng Z, Shi Q, Fan Y, Wang Q, Yin W

The journal of trauma and acute care surgery1 Feb 2016Cited by 35 (Europe PMC)

PMID26517783DOI10.1097/ta.0000000000000909PepBankPUB-26517783

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 study4

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with severe sepsis, thymosin α1 alone was associated with significantly lower 28-day mortality in a meta-analysis (RR, 0.72; GRADE low).
In plain wordsIn people with severe sepsis, thymosin α1 alone was linked to fewer deaths at 28 days in pooled trials; the evidence is of low quality.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
Decrease28-day mortality, thymosin α1 alone
Study
n = 494
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
RR
0.72
28-day mortality, thymosin α1 alone
Source sentences
Summary
TA was associated with significantly lower 28-day mortality (RR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.55-0.93; p = 0.01; n = 494; GRADE rating, low)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of patients with severe sepsis by UCT, UA, and TA were defined as eligible.
Report a problemFND-2651778301
02HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with severe sepsis, thymosin α1 alone showed no significant difference in 90-day mortality in a meta-analysis (RR, 0.84; GRADE very low).
In plain wordsIn people with severe sepsis, thymosin α1 alone showed no clear difference in 90-day deaths in pooled trials; evidence is very weak.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant change90-day mortality, thymosin α1 alone
Study
n = 91
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Measurements
RR
0.84
90-day mortality, thymosin α1 alone
Source sentences
Summary
but there was no significant difference in the 90-day mortality (RR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.54-1.31; p = 0.45; n = 91; GRADE rating, very low)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of patients with severe sepsis by UCT, UA, and TA were defined as eligible.
Report a problemFND-2651778302

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.

03HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with severe sepsis, ulinastatin combined with thymosin α1 was associated with significantly lower 28-day mortality in a meta-analysis (RR, 0.67; GRADE moderate).
In plain wordsIn people with severe sepsis, ulinastatin plus thymosin α1 was linked to fewer 28-day deaths in pooled trials; thymosin α1 alone is not shown here.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
Decrease28-day mortality, ulinastatin plus thymosin α1
Study
n = 915
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Measurements
RR
0.67
28-day mortality, UCT
Source sentences
Summary
UCT was associated with significantly lower 28-day mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.80; p < 0.00001; n = 915; GRADE rating, moderate)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of patients with severe sepsis by UCT, UA, and TA were defined as eligible.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-2651778303
04HumanNot a test of Thymosin alpha-1 aloneSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome
In patients with severe sepsis, ulinastatin combined with thymosin α1 was associated with significantly lower 90-day mortality in a meta-analysis (RR, 0.75; GRADE moderate).
In plain wordsIn people with severe sepsis, ulinastatin plus thymosin α1 was linked to fewer 90-day deaths in pooled trials; thymosin α1 alone is not shown here.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
Decrease90-day mortality, ulinastatin plus thymosin α1
Study
n = 547
Outcome group
Mortality · Infection
Measurements
RR
0.75
90-day mortality, UCT
Source sentences
Summary
UCT was associated with significantly lower 28-day mortality (risk ratio [RR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.80; p < 0.00001; n = 915; GRADE rating, moderate) and 90-day mortality (RR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.93; p = 0.009; n = 547; GRADE rating, moderate)
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of patients with severe sepsis by UCT, UA, and TA were defined as eligible.
In this study, Thymosin alpha-1 was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Thymosin alpha-1.
Report a problemFND-2651778304

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
9 Oct 2026, 18:17 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

Ulinastatin and/or thymosin α1 for severe sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summary

Results from this study4

Studies that did not test the peptide alone2

Version history

Subjects

Publication types

MeSH terms