Thymosin beta-4 prenatal administration improves fetal development and halts side effects due to preterm delivery

G. Faa, M. Piras, L. Mancuso, P. Coni, G. Pichiri, G. Orrù, D. Fanni, C. Gerosa, G. Cao, R. Taibi, P. Pavone, M. Castagnola

Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Division Pathological Anatomy, Cagliari, Italy. monipiras@hotmail.com

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• Pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: Thymosin beta 4 (TB4) is the most abundant member of the beta-thymosin family in humans. The main physiological role of TB4 is the regulation of actin polymerization. TB4 is also involved in angiogenesis, cell survival, cell migration and fetal development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of TB4 as a fetal growth promoter when administered during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our protocols have been carried out in full conformity with the rules and guidelines expected for this kind of trial. 10 pregnant mice received the same injection regimen. Only 6 of these 10 are part of this experiment because they were pregnant. At 10:00 a.m. on day E14 and E17 of gestation mice were weighed and treated with an intraperitoneal injection of TB4 (Regene RX, Rockville, MD, USA; 6 mg/kg in PBS).

RESULTS: The mothers treated with TB4 for two days precisely E14 and E17, showed a higher cranio-caudal length when compared to control newborns. At histology, maternal TB4 treatment was associated with more advanced development of lungs, heart, kidney, cerebral cortex and notochord.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that TB4 administration during gestation may act as a powerful fetal growth promoter, by accelerating the development of newborn organs and tissues.

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