The hyperglycemic effect of thymosin F5, a thymic hormone.

The effect of thymosin F5, a partially purified thymic hormone, on the blood glucose level of rabbits was investigated. After the injection of thymosin F5 either I.V. or S.C., a state of hyperglycemia lasting for 9-10 hours was observed, and this was a dose-dependent effect. Also, the plasma 11-OH corticosteroid levels in thymosin F5 treated rabbits were found to be approximately threefold compared to the controls. Such a hyperglycemic effect was not observed in rabbits bilaterally surrenalectomized. These results show that thymosin F5 has an enhancing effect on blood glucose level and probably this hyperglycemic effect is mediated by surrenal cortex hormones.