In infectious diseases, Björklund Pharma explores the potential of thymosin beta 4, whose fibrinolysis and anti-inflammatory effects in COVID-19 treatment may prevent blood clots and mitigate bradykinin storm.
Product Candidate
The Role of Thymosin Beta 4 in COVID-19 Treatment
Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) may be useful in treating COVID-19 patients due to its fibrinolysis and other activities. Tβ4 prevents actin from binding to fibrin, a major blood clot component. Increasing ACE or administering Tβ4 (1) may increase fibrinolysis.
Fibrinolysis is fibrin breakdown in blood clots. In patients with COVID-19, blood clots have led to extensive morbidity and death. Elevated bradykinin levels in multiple tissues and systems may cause increased vascular dilation, vascular permeability, and hypotension. High bradykinin levels induce pain and cause blood vessels to expand and become leaky, leading to swelling and inflammation of the surrounding tissue. In COVID-19 patients, bradykinin storm induces lung fluid leakage, elevates hyaluronic acid release, impacts oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide release, and causes many severe symptoms (1).
Women have two X chromosomes while men only have one. The Tβ4 gene resides on the X chromosome, which is interesting since men are 2.4 times more likely than women to die from COVID-19. Higher Tβ4 levels may explain why women have a lower incidence of COVID-19-induced mortality than men. If this is correct, pharmacological Tβ4 administration to COVID-19 patients may significantly reduce morbidity and improve survival (1).
Tβ4 not only down-regulates inflammatory chemokines, cytokines, and pro-inflammatory processes, such as bradykinin storm, but also increases fibrinolysis and accelerates wound repair in organs often affected by COVID-19, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys. The Tβ4 levels in blood, tears, and saliva decrease significantly by age (1). Therefore, treatment with Tβ4, which dampens bradykinin storm, may successfully treat COVID-19, particularly in elderly and vulnerable patients.
References
1. Garvin MR, Alvarez C, Miller JI, Prates ET, Walker AM, Amos BK, Mast AE, Justice A, Aronow B, Jacobson D. A mechanistic model and therapeutic interventions for COVID-19 involving a RAS-mediated bradykinin storm. Elife 2020;9:e59177. doi: 10.7554/eLife.59177.
Company News
Infectious Diseases
In the field of infectious diseases, Björklund Pharma is committed to exploring innovative solutions to support health and wellness during infectious outbreaks. Our approach combines cutting-edge research with natural products that help strengthen the body’s defenses and manage symptoms associated with various infectious diseases.
Research Highlight: The Role of Thymosin Beta 4 in COVID-19 Treatment
Thymosin Beta 4 (Tβ4) is being investigated for its potential to mitigate severe complications associated with COVID-19, including blood clots and bradykinin storm. Research suggests that Tβ4 may prevent actin from binding to fibrin, a major component of blood clots, and down-regulate inflammatory processes, offering a promising approach to managing severe COVID-19 symptoms. This ongoing research on Tβ4 may represent a future therapeutic option for infectious diseases with significant inflammatory components. Read More
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