Thymosin beta 4 alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver by inhibiting ferroptosis via up-regulation of GPX4.

Zhu Z, Zhang Y, Huang X, Can L, Zhao X, Wang Y, Xue J, Cheng M, Zhu L

European journal of pharmacology16 Jul 2021Cited by 72 (Europe PMC)

PMID34280397DOI10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174351PepBankPUB-34280397

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 study17

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

01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, Tβ4 improved inflammation.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, Tβ4 reduced liver inflammation.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseInflammation
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 improved the inflammation, biochemical and lipid metabolism indexes, increased the antioxidant level, and inhibited abnormal accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in HFD-induced NAFLD rats.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039701
02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, Tβ4 improved biochemical indexes.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, Tβ4 improved blood chemistry measures.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Direction not reportedBiochemical indexes
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 improved the inflammation, biochemical and lipid metabolism indexes, increased the antioxidant level, and inhibited abnormal accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in HFD-induced NAFLD rats.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039702
03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, Tβ4 improved lipid metabolism indexes.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, Tβ4 improved fat metabolism measures.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Direction not reportedLipid metabolism indexes
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Lipids · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 improved the inflammation, biochemical and lipid metabolism indexes, increased the antioxidant level, and inhibited abnormal accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in HFD-induced NAFLD rats.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039703
04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, Tβ4 increased the antioxidant level.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, Tβ4 raised antioxidant levels.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
IncreaseAntioxidant level
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Oxidative stress · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 improved the inflammation, biochemical and lipid metabolism indexes, increased the antioxidant level, and inhibited abnormal accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in HFD-induced NAFLD rats.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039704
05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome
In rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, Tβ4 inhibited abnormal accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, Tβ4 limited the build-up of reactive oxygen species in cells.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseIntracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Oxidative stress · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Tβ4 improved the inflammation, biochemical and lipid metabolism indexes, increased the antioxidant level, and inhibited abnormal accumulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species in HFD-induced NAFLD rats.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039705
06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, Tβ4 changed activity of genes linked to ferroptosis, a form of cell death.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Direction not reportedExpression of ferroptosis-related genes
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Both in vivo and in vitro, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039708
07LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In LO2 cells with palmitic acid-induced steatosis, Tβ4 improved cell damage.
In plain wordsIn liver cells with fat overload, Tβ4 reduced cell damage.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreasePA-induced LO2 cell damage
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Liver fat and liver function · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Also, Tβ4 improved PA-induced LO2 damage and inhibited apoptosis of PA-induced LO2 cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039706
08LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome
In LO2 cells with palmitic acid-induced steatosis, Tβ4 inhibited apoptosis.
In plain wordsIn liver cells with fat overload, Tβ4 reduced programmed cell death.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
DecreaseApoptosis of PA-induced LO2 cells
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Cell viability and death · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Also, Tβ4 improved PA-induced LO2 damage and inhibited apoptosis of PA-induced LO2 cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039707
09LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LO2 cells with palmitic acid-induced steatosis, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis.
In plain wordsIn liver cells with fat overload, Tβ4 changed activity of genes linked to ferroptosis, a form of cell death.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Direction not reportedExpression of ferroptosis-related genes
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Both in vivo and in vitro, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
Report a problemFND-3428039709

Studies that did not test the peptide alone8

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).

10AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with NAFLD, treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 exaggerated the effects of Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, the ferroptosis blocker Fer-1 increased the effects of Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableFer-1 effect on Tβ4 action
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Both in vivo and in vitro, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis, and Fer-1 treatment exaggerated the above effects of Tβ4, while erastin attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039710
11AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with NAFLD, the ferroptosis inducer erastin attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, the ferroptosis inducer erastin weakened the protective effect of Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableErastin effect on Tβ4 action
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Both in vivo and in vitro, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis, and Fer-1 treatment exaggerated the above effects of Tβ4, while erastin attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039712
12AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with NAFLD, GPX4 siRNA attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4 on the liver.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, silencing GPX4 weakened the protective effect of Tβ4 on the liver.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableGPX4 siRNA effect on Tβ4 protection of rat liver
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Moreover, siRNA GPX4 attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4 on the rat liver and on the mitochondrial membrane integrity of LO2 cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039714
13AnimalNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats with NAFLD, GPX4 siRNA regulated Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and SOD1 expression and attenuated the therapeutic effect of Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn rats with fatty liver, silencing GPX4 changed apoptosis-related genes and weakened the effect of Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableGPX4 siRNA effect on Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and SOD1 expression
Study
ratn: not reported in source
High-fat diet-induced NAFLD
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Interfered expression of GPX4 with siRNA also regulated the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and SOD1, which attenuated therapeutic effect of Tβ4 on rat liver and LO2 cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039716
14LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LO2 cells, treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 exaggerated the effects of Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn liver cells, the ferroptosis blocker Fer-1 increased the effects of Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableFer-1 effect on Tβ4 action
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Both in vivo and in vitro, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis, and Fer-1 treatment exaggerated the above effects of Tβ4, while erastin attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039711
15LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LO2 cells, the ferroptosis inducer erastin attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn liver cells, the ferroptosis inducer erastin weakened the protective effect of Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableErastin effect on Tβ4 action
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Both in vivo and in vitro, Tβ4 regulated expression of genes associated with ferroptosis, and Fer-1 treatment exaggerated the above effects of Tβ4, while erastin attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039713
16LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LO2 cells, GPX4 siRNA attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4 on mitochondrial membrane integrity.
In plain wordsIn liver cells, silencing GPX4 weakened the protective effect of Tβ4 on the mitochondrial membrane.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableGPX4 siRNA effect on mitochondrial membrane integrity
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Mitochondrial function · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Moreover, siRNA GPX4 attenuated the protective effect of Tβ4 on the rat liver and on the mitochondrial membrane integrity of LO2 cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039715
17LabNot a test of Thymosin beta-4 (human) aloneIn vitro (cells)Mechanism
In LO2 cells, GPX4 siRNA regulated Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and SOD1 expression and attenuated the therapeutic effect of Tβ4.
In plain wordsIn liver cells, silencing GPX4 changed apoptosis-related genes and weakened the effect of Tβ4.
Peptide
Thymosin beta-4 (human)
Outcome
Not applicableGPX4 siRNA effect on Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and SOD1 expression
Study
n: not reported in source
Palmitic acid-induced steatosis in LO2 cells
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Liver
Source sentences
Summary
Interfered expression of GPX4 with siRNA also regulated the expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and SOD1, which attenuated therapeutic effect of Tβ4 on rat liver and LO2 cells.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A rat model of NAFLD was established on a high-fat diet (HFD), and rats were assigned ferroptosis inducer erastin and inhibitor Ferrostatin 1 (Fer-1).
Summary · context
The steatosis of LO2 cells was induced by palmitic acid (PA) to reproduce the results of the rat experiment.
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).
Report a problemFND-3428039717

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 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

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.