Not Approved (US) Longevity & Mitochondrial

Thymogen

also known as: Timogen, Glutamyl-tryptophan, Glu-Trp dipeptide

Glu-Trp, the synthetic dipeptide characterized as an active fragment of calf-thymus bioregulator preparations, registered in Russia as an immune-supportive medicine. Khavinson-framework research compound; no FDA/EMA approval.

A synthetic dipeptide consisting of glutamic acid and tryptophan (Glu-Trp), isolated and characterized by Khavinson's group as the smallest active fragment of the calf-thymus polypeptide bioregulator preparation that gave rise to Thymalin. Registered in Russia as a medicine for immune-deficiency states and used as a shorter-course alternative to Thymalin. Not FDA- or EMA-approved. Mechanism of action proposed to involve IL-2 receptor expression modulation on T lymphocytes and T-helper cell maturation, with supportive data primarily from Russian-language immune-biomarker studies.

Mechanism of action

Proposed to upregulate IL-2 receptor expression on T lymphocytes and to support T-helper cell maturation. Khavinson-group publications report gene-expression-modulatory effects in thymic tissue cultures and in vivo in aged rodent models. Molecular characterization is partial; clinical validation rests primarily on Russian-language studies.

Primary uses

Immune-deficiency states (Russian approval)
Acute respiratory infection prophylaxis (Russian nasal-spray approval)
Thymic-axis aging support (Khavinson positioning)

Typical dosing

0.1 (IM) or 1 spray per nostril (intranasal) mg once daily for 5–10 days in courses (intramuscular or intranasal)

Russian dosing: 100 mcg IM once daily for 5–10 days, or intranasal spray 1 dose per nostril once daily for 5–10 days during respiratory illness season.

Regulatory status

Approved in Russia as a prescription medicine for immune-deficiency states and as a nasal spray for respiratory-infection prophylaxis. Manufactured by Samson-Med and other Russian suppliers. Not approved by the FDA, EMA, or other Western regulators.

References

[other] Thymogen (Timogen) Russian Summary of Product Characteristics. Samson-Med, Saint Petersburg.
[pubmed] Khavinson VK, et al. "Peptide Thymogen and the thymus: characterization of the active Glu-Trp dipeptide." Bull Exp Biol Med, 2000;130:751-753.

Related peptides

Thymalin

A calf-thymus polypeptide extract (like cortexin but for thymus-immune axis), positioned by Khavinson as an aging bioregulator. Russian approval, no FDA/EMA approval. Evidence base includes several Russian-language longevity-cohort observations and immune-function studies; methodological rigor is mixed.

Thymulin

A zinc-dependent thymic peptide — biologically active only when zinc-saturated, making serum thymulin activity a functional readout of zinc status.

Thymopentin

A synthetic pentapeptide fragment of thymopoietin — historically marketed as Timunox for immunodeficiency, now primarily used in research and limited European clinical practice.

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.