Effect of thymosin fraction 5 (F5) on erythrocyte glutathione and lipid peroxide levels in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Abstract

The effect of thymosin F5 injection on the erythrocyte glutathione levels were investigated in the rabbits fed 2% cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Although the cholesterol rich diet caused a significant decrease in erythrocyte glutathione levels, erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were increased considerably. After a cholesterol-rich diet, the rabbits were injected thymosin F5 (0.5 mg/kg body weight, i.p) every other day for 21 days. Thymosin F5 treatment caused a significant increase in erythrocyte glutathione levels. However erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels decreased significantly. These findings suggest that thymosin F5 is effective on both the glutathione concentration and the propagation of lipid peroxidation in red blood cells.