The Effect of Thymosin Fraction 5 on Lipid Peroxidation in Rabbits Fed a High-Cholesterol Diet

Summary

Plasma and erythrocyte lipid levels and susceptibility of erythrocytes to lipid peroxidation were determined in rabbits fed diet containing 2% (w/w) cholesterol, for 3 months. Hypercholesterolemic rabbits had high plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels as compared to control rabbits. After high-cholesterol diet, the rabbits in the experimental group were divided into two groups. The first group was fed a normal diet for 21 days and the second group was given normal diet plus thymosin F₅ injections every other day for the same period. At the end of this period, plasma and erythrocyte lipid peroxide levels were significantly decreased in the group injected with thymosin F₅.

Key words

Thymus Gland - Thymosin F₅ - Hypercholesterolemia - Lipid Peroxidation