Systemic Dosing of Thymosin Beta 4 before and after Ischemia Does Not Attenuate Global Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Pigs.

Stark CK, Tarkia M, Kentala R, Malmberg M, Vähäsilta T, Savo M, Hynninen VV, Helenius M, Ruohonen S, Jalkanen J, Taimen P, Alastalo TP and 4 more

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Saraste A, Knuuti J, Savunen T, Koskenvuo J

Frontiers in pharmacology3 May 2016Cited by 10 (Europe PMC)

PMID27199757PMCIDPMC4853610DOI10.3389/fphar.2016.00115PepBankPUB-27199757

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Summary

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and aortic cross-clamping causes myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (I-RI) and can lead to reduced postoperative cardiac function. We investigated whether this injury could be attenuated by thymosin beta 4 (TB4), a peptide which has showed cardioprotective effects. Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h. Myocardial function and blood flow was studied by cardiac magnetic resonance and PET imaging. Tissue and plasma samples were analyzed to determine the amount of cardiomyocyte necrosis and apoptosis as well as pharmacokinetics of the peptide. In vitro studies were performed to assess its influence on blood coagulation and vasomotor tone. Serum levels of the peptide were increased after administration compared to control samples. TB4 did not decrease the amount of cell death. Cardiac function and global myocardial blood flow was similar between the study groups. At high doses a vasoconstrictor effect on mesentery arteries and a vasodilator effect on coronary arteries was observed and blood clot firmness was reduced when tested in the presence of an antiplatelet agent. Despite promising results in previous trials the cardioprotective effect of TB4 was not demonstrated in this model for global myocardial I-RI.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study7

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

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Pharmacokinetics
In pigs, serum TB4 levels were increased after administration compared with control samples.
In plain wordsIn pigs, blood levels of Tβ4 rose after it was given, compared with control samples.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseSerum TB4 level after administration
Study
pign: not reported in source
cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamping (global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury)
Comparator
Vehicle
Outcome group
Pharmacokinetics · Pharmacology
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Serum levels of the peptide were increased after administration compared to control samples.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975701
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In pigs with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, TB4 did not decrease the amount of cell death.
In plain wordsIn pigs, Tβ4 did not reduce heart cell death after a period without blood flow.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeCardiomyocyte cell death
Study
pign: not reported in source
cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamping (global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury)
Comparator
Vehicle
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
TB4 did not decrease the amount of cell death.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975702
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In pigs with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, cardiac function was similar between the TB4 and vehicle groups.
In plain wordsIn pigs, heart function was similar with Tβ4 and with vehicle.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeCardiac function
Study
pign: not reported in source
cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamping (global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury)
Comparator
Vehicle
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Cardiac function and global myocardial blood flow was similar between the study groups.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975703
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In pigs with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, global myocardial blood flow was similar between the TB4 and vehicle groups.
In plain wordsIn pigs, blood flow to the heart was similar with Tβ4 and with vehicle.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
No significant changeGlobal myocardial blood flow
Study
pign: not reported in source
cardiopulmonary bypass with aortic cross-clamping (global myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury)
Comparator
Vehicle
Outcome group
Heart function · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Cardiac function and global myocardial blood flow was similar between the study groups.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975704
05LabEx vivo tissueSafety outcome
In vitro, high doses of TB4 had a vasoconstrictor effect on mesentery arteries.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, high doses of Tβ4 narrowed mesentery arteries.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseMesentery artery tone at high doses
Study
n: not reported in source
mesentery arteries, in vitro
Outcome group
Blood pressure · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
At high doses a vasoconstrictor effect on mesentery arteries and a vasodilator effect on coronary arteries was observed and blood clot firmness was reduced when tested in the presence of an antiplatelet agent.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In vitro studies were performed to assess its influence on blood coagulation and vasomotor tone.
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975705
06LabEx vivo tissueSafety outcome
In vitro, high doses of TB4 had a vasodilator effect on coronary arteries.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, high doses of Tβ4 widened coronary arteries.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseCoronary artery tone at high doses
Study
n: not reported in source
coronary arteries, in vitro
Outcome group
Blood pressure · Cardiovascular
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
At high doses a vasoconstrictor effect on mesentery arteries and a vasodilator effect on coronary arteries was observed and blood clot firmness was reduced when tested in the presence of an antiplatelet agent.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In vitro studies were performed to assess its influence on blood coagulation and vasomotor tone.
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975706

Studies that did not test the peptide alone1

In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) 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 beta-4 (human).

07LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneEx vivo tissueSafety outcome
In vitro, blood clot firmness was reduced at high TB4 doses when tested in the presence of an antiplatelet agent.
In plain wordsIn lab tests, blood clots were less firm with high Tβ4 doses when an antiplatelet drug was also present.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseBlood clot firmness with antiplatelet agent at high doses
Study
n: not reported in source
blood coagulation test, in vitro
Outcome group
Adverse events · Cardiovascular
Source sentences
Summary
At high doses a vasoconstrictor effect on mesentery arteries and a vasodilator effect on coronary arteries was observed and blood clot firmness was reduced when tested in the presence of an antiplatelet agent.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
In vitro studies were performed to assess its influence on blood coagulation and vasomotor tone.
Summary · context
Pigs received either TB4 or vehicle and underwent CPB and aortic cross-clamping for 60 min with cold intermittent blood-cardioplegia and were then followed for 30 h.
In this study, Thymosin beta-4 (human) 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 beta-4 (human).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2719975707

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

Version history

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Version 2Current
13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

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