RESTORATION OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE FUNCTION IN ELDERLY SUBJECTS BY THYMOMODULIN

Senescence is a specific physiological evolution of human beings assoc iated with a reduction in the functionality of several apparatuses, in cluding the immune system. Thymomodulin (TMD) contains thymus polypept ides (< 10,000 D) and it has been used in a variety of disorders assoc iated with defective immunological functions. The aim of this study wa s to investigate the effect on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs) phag ocytosis and oxidative burst of a 6-week treatment with 160 mg/day TMD orally in elderly subjects (85.5 +/- 9.7 years). Elderly subjects hav e impaired PMN phagocytosis and the following release of oxidant radic als. Treatment with TMD for 6 weeks had a restoring effect; phagocytos is and the phagocytic index were significantly improved, with increase s of 132.6% and 112.5%. These findings indicate that TMD might be give n to enhance the immunodefenses of imunocompromised elderly subjects. Luminol-dependent chemiluminescence was increased by 15.6%, which was not significant, indicating a different response between phagocytosis and release of oxidant radicals.