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Study · Measured the body's own peptide · 2019

17 results

Thymosin Beta 4 Is Involved in the Development of Electroacupuncture Tolerance.

Wan J, Ding Y, Nan S, Zhang Q, Sun J, Suo C, Ding M

Frontiers in cellular neuroscience26 Mar 2019Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID30971892 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC6444270 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fncel.2019.00075 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-30971892
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Summary

Background: Electroacupuncture (EA) tolerance, a negative therapeutic effect, is a gradual decline in antinociception because of its repeated or prolonged use. This study aims to explore the role of thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), having neuro-protection properties, in EA tolerance (EAT). Methods: Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle. The mRNA and protein expression profiles of Tβ4, opioid peptides (enkephalin, dynorphin and endorphin), and anti-opioid peptides (cholecystokinin octapeptide, CCK-8 and orphanin FQ, OFQ), and mu opioid receptor (MOR) and CCK B receptor (CCKBR) in the brain areas (hypothalamus, thalamus, cortex, midbrain and medulla) were characterized after Tβ4 siRNA was administered. Results: Tβ4 levels were increased at day 1, 4, and 8 and negatively correlated with the changes of tail flick latency in all areas. Tβ4 antibody and siRNA postponed EAT. Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas. Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas. Conclusion: These results confirmed Tβ4 facilitates EAT probably through negatively changing endogenous opioid peptides and their receptors and positively influencing anti-opioid peptides in the central nervous system.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study17

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

Natural levels measured8

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.

  1. 01AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels were increased at day 1, 4, and 8.

    In plain wordsIn rats given repeated electroacupuncture, the body's own thymosin beta‑4 levels rose.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseTβ4 levels during repeated electroacupuncture
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were increased at day 1, 4, and 8
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  2. 02AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated negatively with the changes of tail flick latency in all brain areas.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 levels were linked to changes in pain response time during repeated electroacupuncture.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with tail flick latency
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were increased at day 1, 4, and 8 and negatively correlated with the changes of tail flick latency in all areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  3. 03AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated negatively with enkephalin in all brain areas except medulla.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 was linked to lower enkephalin in most brain areas.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with enkephalin
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  4. 04AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated negatively with dynorphin in all brain areas except medulla.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 was linked to lower dynorphin in most brain areas.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with dynorphin
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  5. 05AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated negatively with endorphin in all brain areas except medulla.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 was linked to lower endorphin in most brain areas.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with endorphin
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  6. 06AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated negatively with mu opioid receptor levels in all brain areas except medulla.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 was linked to lower mu opioid receptor levels in most brain areas.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with mu opioid receptor
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  7. 07AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated positively with OFQ in some brain areas.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 was linked to higher orphanin FQ in some brain areas.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with OFQ
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

  8. 08AnimalEndogenous levelAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 levels correlated positively with CCK-8 in some brain areas.

    In plain wordsIn rats, higher natural thymosin beta‑4 was linked to higher CCK-8 in some brain areas.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseCorrelation of Tβ4 with CCK-8
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 levels were negatively correlated with enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin, or MOR levels in all areas except medulla, while positively correlated with OFQ and CCK-8 levels in some areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    This result measures the body's own Thymosin beta-4 (human). Nobody was given the peptide. It is not evidence about taking it.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone9

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).

  1. 09AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats, microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and Tβ4 siRNA postponed the development of electroacupuncture tolerance.

    In plain wordsIn rats, blocking the body's own thymosin beta‑4 delayed the loss of electroacupuncture pain relief.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseDevelopment of electroacupuncture tolerance
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 antibody and siRNA postponed EAT.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  2. 10AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA decreased Tβ4 levels in all brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, Tβ4 siRNA lowered the body's own thymosin beta‑4 levels in all brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseTβ4 level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  3. 11AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA increased enkephalin levels in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 raised enkephalin levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseEnkephalin level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  4. 12AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA increased dynorphin levels in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 raised dynorphin levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseDynorphin level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  5. 13AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA increased endorphin levels in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 raised endorphin levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseEndorphin level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  6. 14AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA increased mu opioid receptor levels in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 raised mu opioid receptor levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseMu opioid receptor level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  7. 15AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA left orphanin FQ levels unchanged in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 did not change orphanin FQ levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    No significant changeOFQ level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  8. 16AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA left CCK-8 levels unchanged in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 did not change CCK-8 levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    No significant changeCCK-8 level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

  9. 17AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats given repeated electroacupuncture, Tβ4 siRNA left CCK B receptor levels unchanged in most brain areas measured.

    In plain wordsIn rats, lowering the body's own thymosin beta‑4 did not change CCK B receptor levels in most brain areas measured.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    No significant changeCCK B receptor level after Tβ4 siRNA
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    electroacupuncture tolerance rat model
    Outcome group
    Pain · Nervous system and cognition

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 siRNA caused decreased Tβ4 levels in all areas, which resulted in increased enkephalin, dynorphin, endorphin and MOR levels in most measured areas during repeated EA, but unchanged OFQ, CCK-8, and CCKBR levels in most measured areas.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Rats were treated with EA once daily for eight consecutive days to establish EAT, effect of Tβ4 on the development of EAT was determined through microinjection of Tβ4 antibody and siRNA into the cerebroventricle.

    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).

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.

  1. Version 2Current

    13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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