Impaired T-cell functions in aged guinea-pigs restored by thymostimulin (TS)

The age-related changes of different T-cell activities in guinea pigs and the effect of Thymostimulin (TS), a thymus extract, on the immunocompetence of these cells was studied. Mitogen-induced proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes was increased by TS in vitro. The intraperitoneal administration of TS (5 mg/kg) to aged animals restored the helper function of T lymphocytes and enhanced the reactivity to mitogens of both peripheral blood lymphocytes and spleen lymphocytes. The data obtained suggest that as in other species, there is an age-associated decline of immunological response, in guinea pigs too, probably due to a deficiency of thymic hormone(s) and that TS could correct this deficiency.