Clinical efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 combined with multi-modality chemotherapy and its effects on immune function of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes.

Wu L, Luo PP, Tian YH, Chen LY, Zhang YL

Pakistan journal of medical sciences1 Jan 2022Cited by 5 (Europe PMC)

PMID35035422PMCIDPMC8713191DOI10.12669/pjms.38.1.4419PepBankPUB-35035422

Summary

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 (Tα1) combined with multi-modality chemotherapy in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) complicated with diabetes and discuss the effects of such combination therapy on lymphocyte subsets and sputum levels of cytokines.MethodsA total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60). Clinical efficacy and adverse drug reactions were observed and compared between the two groups. Blood samples were collected for lymphocyte (NK cell and T cell subsets) levels by flow cytometry, and sputum samples were collected for cytokine (IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4 and TNF-α) levels by ELISA.ResultsTwo groups showed no statistically significant difference in sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate (P>0.05) after 6 months of treatment. However, after 12 months, the sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate in the Tα1 group increased compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively). After six months of treatment, the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the Tα1 group were lower than in the control group, whereas the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the Tα1 group were higher than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionTα1 combined with multi-modality chemotherapy has a visible curative effect on PTB patients with diabetes as it can regulate immune function and reduce the levels of inflammatory cytokines. As a safe combination therapy, it seems promising for further use in clinical practice.

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

Results from this study17

17 results from studies that gave the peptide. 17 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change the sputum culture-negative conversion rate at 6 months.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change sputum culture conversion at 6 months.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeSputum culture-negative conversion rate at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Two groups showed no statistically significant difference in sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate (P>0.05) after 6 months of treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542201
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change the chest lesion absorption rate at 6 months.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change lung lesion clearing at 6 months.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeChest lesion absorption rate at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Respiratory
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Two groups showed no statistically significant difference in sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate (P>0.05) after 6 months of treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542202
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change the cavity closure rate at 6 months.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change lung cavity closure at 6 months.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeCavity closure rate at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Respiratory
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
Two groups showed no statistically significant difference in sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate (P>0.05) after 6 months of treatment.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542203
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy increased the sputum culture-negative conversion rate at 12 months.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy led to more sputum culture conversion at 12 months than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseSputum culture-negative conversion rate at 12 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Infection
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
However, after 12 months, the sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate in the Tα1 group increased compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542204
05HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy increased the chest lesion absorption rate at 12 months.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy led to more lung lesion clearing at 12 months than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseChest lesion absorption rate at 12 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Respiratory
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
However, after 12 months, the sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate in the Tα1 group increased compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542205
06HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy increased the cavity closure rate at 12 months.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy led to more lung cavity closure at 12 months than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCavity closure rate at 12 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Infection and antimicrobial activity · Respiratory
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
However, after 12 months, the sputum culture-negative conversion rate, chest lesion absorption rate, and cavity closure rate in the Tα1 group increased compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542206
07HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave higher CD3+ lymphocytes at 6 months than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave higher CD3+ T cells than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCD3+ lymphocytes at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542207
08HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave higher CD4+ lymphocytes at 6 months than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave higher CD4+ T cells than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseCD4+ lymphocytes at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542208
09HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave higher NK cells at 6 months than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave higher natural killer cells than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseNK cells at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542209
10HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave lower CD8+ lymphocytes at 6 months than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave lower CD8+ T cells than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseCD8+ lymphocytes at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542210
11HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave lower Th17 lymphocytes at 6 months than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave lower Th17 cells than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseTh17 lymphocytes at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542211
12HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave lower Treg lymphocytes at 6 months than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave lower regulatory T cells than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseTreg lymphocytes at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Immune response · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was a significant increase in CD3+, CD4+, NK-cells lymphocytes after six months in the Tα1 group than in the control group, whereas the CD8+, Th17, Treg lymphocytes in the Tα1 group were substantially lower than in the control group, with the differences showing statistical significance (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542212
13HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave lower sputum IL-4 than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave lower IL-4 in sputum than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseSputum IL-4 at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
After six months of treatment, the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the Tα1 group were lower than in the control group, whereas the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the Tα1 group were higher than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542213
14HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave lower sputum TNF-α than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave lower TNF-α in sputum than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
DecreaseSputum TNF-α at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
After six months of treatment, the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the Tα1 group were lower than in the control group, whereas the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the Tα1 group were higher than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542214
15HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave higher sputum IL-2 than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave higher IL-2 in sputum than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseSputum IL-2 at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
After six months of treatment, the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the Tα1 group were lower than in the control group, whereas the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the Tα1 group were higher than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542215
16HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 with chemotherapy gave higher sputum IFN-γ than chemotherapy alone.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, thymosin alpha‑1 plus chemotherapy gave higher IFN-γ in sputum than chemotherapy alone.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
IncreaseSputum IFN-γ at 6 months
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Inflammation markers · Immune and inflammation
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
After six months of treatment, the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in the Tα1 group were lower than in the control group, whereas the sputum supernatant levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in the Tα1 group were higher than in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05, respectively).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542216
17HumanRandomized controlled trialSafety outcome
In patients with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change the incidence of adverse reactions.
In plain wordsIn people with tuberculosis and diabetes, adding thymosin alpha‑1 to chemotherapy did not change how often adverse reactions happened.
Peptide
Thymosin alpha-1
Outcome
No significant changeIncidence of adverse reactions
Study
n = 120
Comparator
Multi-modality chemotherapy without thymosin alpha 1
Outcome group
Adverse events · Whole body
Studied dose
Dose not stated
Source sentences
Summary
There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
A total of 120 patients with PTB complicated with diabetes admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from January 2017 to January 2018 were included in this study and randomly divided into an experimental group (Tα1 group, n=60) and a control group (n=60).
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-3503542217

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
10 Oct 2026, 08:19 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

Clinical efficacy of thymosin alpha 1 combined with multi-modality chemotherapy and its effects on immune function of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis complicated with diabetes.

Summary

Results from this study17

Version history

Subjects

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Keywords