If you have been reading about TB-500 and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Updated 2026-08-01. Numbers and descriptions here follow the published literature rather than marketing material.
Thymosin beta-4 was isolated from calf thymus in the early 1980s and later characterised as an abundant intracellular actin-sequestering protein. Interest in short synthetic fragments grew once the actin-binding motif had been mapped to the middle of the sequence. TB-500 came out of that line of work as a truncated analogue rather than a natural isolate, and it is now sold mainly to laboratories. Published studies on the fragment have been largely in vitro or in animal models, and controlled human trials remain sparse, so claims about effects in people rest on extrapolation.
Literature and online discussion often conflate TB-500 with full-length thymosin beta-4, even though the two differ in size and are not interchangeable in analytical terms. The fragment is produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis, and the product is a defined seven-residue chain rather than a biological extract. Because the term is a trade-style label, two vendors may supply materials of the same nominal sequence but different counter-ion content, purity, or water content. Comparisons across studies are therefore difficult unless the exact sequence and purity are reported.
Material sold under this label typically arrives as a freeze-dried powder in a sealed vial with a certificate of analysis. Such certificates usually report reversed-phase chromatography purity plus a mass confirmation, and stated purities commonly sit between 95 and 99 percent. Counter-ion identity, residual trifluoroacetate, water content, and peptide net weight are separate specifications that a certificate may or may not include. A purity figure alone does not establish sequence identity, so independent mass verification remains the practical check.
The designation TB-500 circulates in laboratory and catalog contexts without a single agreed definition. Most product listings apply it to an N-terminally acetylated seven-residue fragment of thymosin beta-4, while other listings attach the same label to the full 43-residue protein. Because the term is commercial rather than systematic, two entries bearing identical names may describe different molecules. Any documentation should therefore state which sequence a given sample is claimed to contain.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Supplied as a lyophilised cake in sealed vials |
| Solubility class | Freely soluble in water | Polar and charged side chains dominate the sequence |
| Typical storage temperature | -20 °C or below | Dry and dark; a desiccant is often recommended |
| Identity confirmation | Mass spectrometry | Observed mass compared with the theoretical value |
| Common synonyms | Thymosin beta-4 fragment | Also written as T beta 4 fragment 17-23 |
Interest in the fragment grew during the 1990s and 2000s, when it moved from laboratory work into sports and supplement markets. Anti-doping bodies added thymosin beta-4 fragments to prohibited lists, and a small number of adverse analytical findings have been reported in competition testing. Published controlled human trials remain scarce. Most mechanistic evidence comes from cell culture and animal models, and those studies examine endpoints such as cell migration, wound closure and inflammation markers. That evidence supports research interest but does not establish clinical benefit, and broad regenerative claims should be read as unverified.
TB-500 is a short synthetic peptide sold under a trade name rather than a systematic chemical name. Suppliers usually describe it as a fragment of thymosin beta-4 and ship it as a lyophilised powder intended for laboratory use. Because the label is commercial, the exact sequence attributed to it is not fully consistent across catalogues, and some listings present a seven-residue peptide while others describe related fragments of similar length. It is not an approved medicine in any major jurisdiction, and it is handled as a research chemical.
Lyophilised material is stable for extended periods when kept dry and cold, and suppliers typically recommend storage well below freezing. Once dissolved, the peptide is handled at refrigeration temperatures and used within a short period, because peptide bonds and the acetylated terminus can be affected by repeated freeze-thaw cycles, proteases, or extreme pH. Bacteriostatic water and saline are both described as solvents, although preservatives can interfere with some analytical workflows. Reconstituted solutions are inspected for particulates before use.
Sports authorities classify the peptide as a prohibited substance, and it appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency list under peptide hormones, growth factors, and related substances. Racing jurisdictions for horses and dogs have issued separate restrictions, and several national bodies treat it as a controlled or prescription-only item. As a research chemical it is sold without a therapeutic indication, and labels usually state that the product is not for human or veterinary use. Regulatory treatment therefore varies by country.
Detection in biological matrices generally relies on liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, because the peptide lacks a convenient ultraviolet chromophore beyond the amide backbone. Immunoassays have been described, but antibodies raised against the fragment can cross-react with the full-length protein or with unrelated peptides, so findings usually require confirmation by a second technique. Sample preparation typically involves protein precipitation followed by solid-phase extraction. Reported detection windows depend on dose, route, matrix, and instrument sensitivity.
Identity and purity are normally assessed with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, paired with mass spectrometry to confirm molecular mass. A certificate of analysis reports a purity percentage, usually derived from chromatographic peak area, but that figure does not by itself prove a correct sequence or the absence of counterions. Independent verification may include amino acid analysis or peptide mapping. Batch-to-batch variation is a documented concern in the research chemical market, and the gap between a quoted purity value and actual peptide content can be substantial when the material is a salt or retains residual water.
Lyophilized peptide arrives as a dry cake that should stay sealed until use. Reconstitution is generally performed with sterile water or a buffered solution, and the resulting liquid should be handled gently to limit mechanical stress. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles are widely described as harmful to short peptides, so dividing a reconstituted batch into single-use portions is a common practice. Laboratories also record the solvent, concentration, and date of preparation on the vial label to keep later measurements traceable.
=== Techniques === Mass spectrometry of proteins requires that the proteins in solution or solid state be turned into an ionized form in the gas phase before they are injected and accelerated in an electric or magnetic field for analysis. The two primary methods for ionization of proteins are electrospray ionization (ESI) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). In electrospray, the ions are created from proteins in solution, and it allows fragile molecules to be ionized intact, sometimes preserving non-covalent interactions. In MALDI, the proteins are embedded within a matrix normally in a solid form, and ions are created by pulses of laser light. Electrospray produces more multiply-charged ions than MALDI, allowing for measurement of high mass protein and better fragmentation for identification, while MALDI is fast and less likely to be affected by contaminants, buffers and additives. Whole-protein mass analysis is primarily conducted using either time-of-flight (TOF) MS, or Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR). These two types of instrument are preferable here because of their wide mass range, and in the case of FT-ICR, its high mass accuracy. Electrospray ionization of a protein often results in generation of multiple charged species of 800 < m/z < 2000 and the resultant spectrum can be deconvoluted to determine the protein's average mass to within 50 ppm or better using TOF or ion-trap instruments.
== Medical uses == Elbasvir/grazoprevir received FDA approval in January 2016. Its indication is for treatment of chronic hepatitis C of the genotypes 1 and 4 for adults. Hepatitis C is a global disease that infects upwards of 150 million people worldwide, especially in older generations. Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver that eventually leads to diminished liver function or even failure. Zepatier is indicated for treatment with or without use of ribavirin, as well. Zepatier has shown enough efficacy to be considered a first line of treatment for first-time patients with GT 1a and 1b, with or without cirrhosis. It is recommended for non-naive patients of the same genotypes, in addition to patients of GT4.
=== Antiasthmatic medicines and medicines for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease === Budesonide Budesonide/formoterol (budesonide + formoterol) Epinephrine (adrenaline) Ipratropium bromide Salbutamol Tiotropium
=== Research === Similar assays can be performed for research purposes, detecting concentrations of potential clinical candidates like anti-fungal and asthma drugs. This technique is obviously useful in observing multiple species in collected samples, as well, but requires the use of standard solutions when information about species identity is sought out. It is used as a method to confirm results of synthesis reactions, as purity is essential in this type of research. However, mass spectrometry is still the more reliable way to identify species.
=== The Flory convention === see Flory convention for details. In modeling the position vectors of atoms in macromolecules it is often necessary to convert from Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) to generalized coordinates. The Flory convention for defining the variables involved is usually employed. For an example, a peptide bond can be described by the x,y,z positions of every atom in this bond or the Flory convention can be used. Here one must know the bond lengths
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Metabolism interactions === Grapefruit–drug interactions that affect the pre-systemic metabolism (i.e., the metabolism that occurs before the drug enters the blood) of drugs have a different duration of action than interactions that work by other mechanisms, such as on absorption, discussed below. The interaction is greatest when the juice is ingested with the drug or up to four hours before the drug. The location of the inhibition occurs in the lining of the intestines, not within the liver. The effects last because grapefruit-mediated inhibition of drug metabolizing enzymes, like CYP3A4, is irreversible; that is, once the grapefruit has "broken" the enzyme, the intestinal cells must produce more of the enzyme to restore their capacity to metabolize drugs that the enzyme is used to metabolize. It takes around 24 hours to regain 50% of the cell's baseline enzyme activity and it can take 72 hours for the enzyme activity to completely return to baseline. For this reason, simply separating citrus consumption and medications taken daily does not avoid the drug interaction.
=== BsAbs on the market === Several bispecific antibodies are presently in clinical use. Blinatumomab, which targets CD19 and CD3, is used in the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome negative B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Emicizumab, which targets clotting factors IXa and X, is used in the treatment of hemophilia A. Catumaxomab was withdrawn from the European market in 2017 for commercial reasons. Amivantamab, which targets epidermal growth factor (EGF) and MET receptors, for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 20 insertion mutations. Teclistamab, which targets CD3 and B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), is used in the treatment of multiple myeloma, and zenocutuzumab.
== Pump operation == The pump can operate in manual mode if certain parameters such as basal rates are programmed by the user. In automated mode, the SmartGuard algorithm requires a CGM to operate. Out of the box, the algorithm also requires a 48-hour warm-up period in manual mode to collect insulin usage data. The algorithm is based on historical trends of insulin doses such as total daily dose. Directly before entering automated mode, the algorithm requires a blood glucose reading from a meter to confirm the proper operation of the CGM. The 780G algorithm adapts by updating itself to the individual user every night at midnight. The insulin delivery amount and timing of both automated basal rates and automated boluses are then precisely controlled by the controller. While in SmartGuard mode, the user can bolus for a meal, change the glucose target, and adjust the active insulin time.
=== EC 1.14.99 Miscellaneous === EC 1.14.99.1: prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase EC 1.14.99.2: kynurenine 7,8-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.3: Now EC 1.14.14.18, heme oxygenase (biliverdin-producing) EC 1.14.99.4: progesterone monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.5: Now EC 1.14.19.1, stearoyl-CoA 9-desaturase EC 1.14.99.6: Now EC 1.14.19.2, acyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] desaturase EC 1.14.99.7: Transferred to EC 1.14.13.132, squalene monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.8: Now included with EC 1.14.14.1 unspecific monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.9: Now classified as EC 1.14.14.19, steroid 17α-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.10: Now EC 1.14.14.16, steroid 21-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.11: estradiol 6β-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.12: 4-androstene-3,17-dione monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.13: Now EC 1.14.13.23, 3-hydroxybenzoate 4-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.14: Now EC 1.14.14.197, progesterone 11α-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.15: 4-methoxybenzoate monooxygenase (O-demethylating) EC 1.14.99.16: Now EC 1.14.13.72, methylsterol monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.17: Now EC 1.14.16.5, glyceryl-ether monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.18: deleted EC 1.14.99.19: Now classified as EC 1.14.19.77, plasmanylethanolamine desaturase EC 1.14.99.20: phylloquinone monooxygenase (2,3-epoxidizing) EC 1.14.99.21: Latia-luciferin monooxygenase (demethylating) EC 1.14.99.22: ecdysone 20-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.23: 3-hydroxybenzoate 2-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.24: steroid 9α-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.25: Now EC 1.14.19.3, linoleoyl-CoA desaturase EC 1.14.99.26: 2-hydroxypyridine 5-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.27: Now classified as EC 1.17.3.4, juglone 3-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.28: Now EC 1.14.14.84, linalool 8-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.29: deoxyhypusine monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.30: Now EC 1.3.5.6, 9,9′-dicis-ζ-carotene desaturase. EC 1.14.99.31: Now classified as EC 1.14.19.24, myristoyl-CoA 11-(E) desaturase EC 1.14.99.32: Now classified as EC 1.14.19.5, acyl-CoA 11-(Z)-desaturase EC 1.14.99.33: Now EC 1.14.19.39, acyl-lipid Δ12-acetylenase EC 1.14.99.34: monoprenyl isoflavone epoxidase EC 1.14.99.35: thiophene-2-carbonyl-CoA monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.36: Now classified as EC 1.13.11.63, β-carotene 15,15′-dioxygenase EC 1.14.99.37: Now EC 1.14.14.176, taxadiene 5α-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.38: cholesterol 25-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.39: ammonia monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.40: Now EC 1.13.11.79, 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole synthase EC 1.14.99.41: Now EC 1.13.11.75, all-trans-8′-apo-β-carotenal 15,15′-oxygenase EC 1.14.99.42: Now EC 1.13.11.84, crocetin dialdehyde synthase EC 1.14.99.43: Now EC 1.14.14.134, β-amyrin 24-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.44: diapolycopene oxygenase EC 1.14.99.45: Now EC 1.14.14.158, carotene ε-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.46: pyrimidine oxygenase EC 1.14.99.47: (+)-larreatricin hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.48: heme oxygenase (staphylobilin-producing) EC 1.14.99.49: Now EC 1.14.15.31, 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-1-naphthoate 7-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.50: γ-glutamyl hercynylcysteine S-oxide synthase EC 1.14.99.51: hercynylcysteine S-oxide synthase EC 1.14.99.52: L-cysteinyl-L-histidinylsulfoxide synthase EC 1.14.99.53: lytic chitin monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.54: lytic cellulose monooxygenase (C1-hydroxylating) EC 1.14.99.55: lytic starch monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.56: lytic cellulose monooxygenase (C4-dehydrogenating) EC 1.14.99.57: heme oxygenase (mycobilin-producing) EC 1.14.99.58: heme oxygenase (biliverdin-IX-β and δ-forming) EC 1.14.99.59: tryptamine 4-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.60: 3-demethoxyubiquinol 3-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.61: cyclooctat-9-en-7-ol 5-monooxygenase EC 1.14.99.62: cyclooctatin synthase EC 1.14.99.63: β-carotene 4-ketolase EC 1.14.99.64: zeaxanthin 4-ketolase EC 1.14.99.65: 4-amino-L-phenylalanyl-[CmlP-peptidyl-carrier-protein] 3-hydroxylase EC 1.14.99.66: [histone H3]-N6,N6-dimethyl-L-lysine4 FAD-dependent demethylase EC 1.14.99.67: α-N-dichloroacetyl-p-aminophenylserinol N-oxygenase EC 1.14.99.68: 4-aminobenzoate N-oxygenase EC 1.14.99.69: tRNA 2-(methylsulfanyl)-N6-isopentenyladenosine37 hydroxylase
=== Nerve supply === Innervation derives from spinal cord segments S2 to S4, reaching the penis through the pelvic splanchnic nerves and the pudendal nerves. The dorsal nerve of the penis, a branch of the pudendal nerve, runs alongside the dorsal artery and supplies the skin and the glans. It travels deep to Buck's fascia within the dorsal neurovascular bundle, in the groove between the corpora cavernosa. The cavernous nerves carry the parasympathetic fibres that innervate the helicine arteries supplying the erectile tissue.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No. Thymosin beta-4 is a 43-residue protein, while TB-500 matches only residues 17 to 23 of that chain. The two are related but differ in size, and a method that identifies one does not automatically identify the other.
It corresponds to the actin-binding region of thymosin beta-4. Commercial synthesis reproduces that seven-residue stretch, usually with an acetyl group on the N-terminus.
It is not authorised as a medicine in the United States or the European Union and is distributed as a research chemical. Labels consequently carry research-use-only statements rather than clinical indications.
Usually not, though usage overlaps. The label most often refers to a short acetylated fragment of the parent protein, while thymosin beta-4 itself is the full 43-residue molecule. Because suppliers vary, a sequence statement is needed to settle the question for any particular lot.