Cytokine-mediated or direct effects of thymulin on the nervous system as assessed by pain-related behavior
Author: Safieh Garabedian B, Kanaan SA, Jabbur SJ, Saadé NE
Source:
Neuroimmunomodulation, 6(1-2), 39-44.
Thymulin is a thymic hormone with known immunomodulatory activities. Recent
evidence has indicated a signaling role for this peptide in the interaction
between the immune, endocrine and the nervous system. In this report, we review
recent experimental findings on the analgesic actions of thymulin (high doses) in
rats with endotoxin-induced localized inflammation and the hyperalgesic actions
(low doses) of this peptide in intact animals. These actions involve both
proinflammatory cytokines and PGE2. The possibility of a dual role played by
thymulin as a hormone that might also involve a direct effect on the nervous
system is discussed.