Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500)

Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500) is a synthetically produced version of the naturally occurring peptide Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4 or TB4). The recommended International Nonproprietary Name (INN) for Tβ4 is timbetasin.

Tβ4 is a 43-amino-acid peptide that is found in high concentration in many cells and tissues throughout the body (except red blood cells). It is primarily known for its role in tissue repair and regeneration, cellular migration, and inflammation control. TB-500 is often a fragment of the full Tβ4 protein that retains the active, tissue-healing properties.

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Benefits and Side Effects

Potential Benefits (Pros)

The potential benefits of Tβ4/TB-500 are primarily related to its healing and anti-inflammatory properties:

• Accelerated Tissue Repair: Promotes faster healing of various tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, and skin.

• Angiogenesis: Encourages the formation of new blood vessels, which improves blood flow to injured areas.

• Reduced Inflammation: Exerts anti-inflammatory effects and protects cells from damage.

• Decreased Scar Formation: May reduce the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis).

• Organ Protection: Potential protective and regenerative effects on the heart, brain, spinal cord, and eyes.

• Improved Flexibility: May help to stretch connective tissues.

• Enhanced Muscle Tone and Growth: May improve muscle recovery and growth.

Reported Side Effects (Cons)

TB-500 is generally considered well-tolerated with minimal reported side effects in current research, but potential cons include:

• Injection Site Reactions: Redness, pain, or mild swelling at the site of subcutaneous or intramuscular injection.

• General Discomfort: Possible temporary tiredness, lethargy, headache, or dizziness, especially with initial use or incorrect administration.

• Doping Status: It is a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to its performance-enhancing potential related to tissue recovery.

• Cancer Concern (Theoretical): Some studies have noted increased Tβ4 levels in some cancer tissues; while most research suggests this is a protective/healing response, its role in tumor metastasis remains a subject of ongoing research and concern.

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Dosage, Frequency, Half-Life, and Detection

Due to its nature as a research chemical and lack of FDA approval for human use, there is no standardized, medically-approved dosage for TB-500. Protocols used in research and non-clinical settings often suggest:

• Dosage: Varies widely, but common non-clinical recommendations range from 300 mcg to 10 mg per week.

• Frequency: Typically administered subcutaneously (SubQ) multiple times per week (e.g., 2-5 times per week) during an initial "loading phase" (4-6 weeks), followed by a lower dose for maintenance.

• Half-Life: The reported half-life of the active fragment of TB-500 is approximately 2-3 days. However, the therapeutic effects can be much longer-lasting due to its mechanism of action and influence on cellular processes.

• Detection Time: In equine studies, a key metabolite of the N-acetylated LKKTETQ fragment of TB-500 was detected in plasma for around 11.3 hours and urine for around 9.7 hours after a single dose. However, anti-doping tests can target different metabolites with longer detection windows, and a precise human detection time is not widely published or guaranteed due to the development of sophisticated testing methods designed to detect prolonged use.

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Sterogenic, Progestogenic, Prolactin, and Anabolic/Androgenic Effects

TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) is a peptide, not an anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS). It does not act on steroid receptors (androgen, estrogen, or progesterone) and is not known to affect prolactin levels.

• Sterogenic/Progestronic/Prolactin Affects: None reported or expected. TB-500 does not possess the chemical structure or mechanism of action to directly influence these hormonal pathways.

• Anabolic Androgenic Ratio: This ratio (Anabolic:Androgenic) is used to quantify the effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS). Since TB-500 is a peptide with no direct androgenic activity, it is not applicable and therefore has no numerical ratio. Its anabolic effects are related to tissue repair and cell migration, not direct androgen receptor activation.