(This has article appeared in "TOTAL HEALTH" magazine vol 19, number 5)

	ANTI-AGING BREAKTHROUGH:	Thymic Protein A
	
	An Interview with Dr. Terry Beardsley on his new discovery.
	
	Dr. Terry Beardsley is an immunologist with a Ph.D. in Experimental Biology from
	Baylor College of Medicine, Texas. He has been the principal scientist in the
	Monoclonal Antibody Facility at Smith Kline Beckman; Assistant Professor of
	Research at the University, of California at San Diego; Research Associate at
	Scripps Clinic, La Jolla; and Assistant Research Professor at UCLA s Laboratory
	of Nuclear Medicine.
	
	He has spent most of his career researching the thymus gland, and is considered
	one of the experts on this subject. He is the first person to isolate and purify
	an intact thymic protein and make it available for commercial use.
	
	TH: Dr. Beardsley, you have recently been awarded a U.S. patent for your
	important discovery of a whole thymic peptide called Thymic Protein A, which
	promises to extend human life span through its major role in strengthening the
	human immune system.
	
	A: I would like briefly to explain the function of the human immune system for
	your readers, before I discuss my discovery. First, let me say that it is now
	established in medicine that a strong immune system increases life span by
	protecting the body from the daily attacks of pathogens in our environment, as
	well as slowing down the diseases of aging. Any substance which measurably
	strengthens immunity may well extend life and, most importantly, quality of
	life. Witness all the new research to find agents to improve immunity in the
	treatment of cancer and other degenerative diseases.
	
	We know that the immune system is a complex network of specialized organs,
	glands and cells and it is composed of two basic subsystems, the Humoral and the
	Cell Mediated, each with different methods of defending the body against
	disease. The Humoral side creates antibodies to defeat invading pathogens. Cell
	Mediated Immunity employs specific cells which attack and kill invaders
	identified by it.
	
	B-lymphocytes (B-cells) and T-lymphocytes (T-cells) are types of white blood
	cells utilized as "soldiers" by the immune system. B-cells are the antibody
	producers used in Humoral Immunity and T-cells are the shock troops used in Cell
	Mediated Immunity. They are all born in the bone marrow. B-cells mature in the
	bone marrow, hence the B for bone marrow. T-cells are matured by proteins from
	the thymus gland.
	
	Both sides of the immune system must function properly in order for the body to
	have an optimum Immune response to invading pathogens. In fact, B-cells will
	react quicker, proliferate and produce an antibody response more efficiently in
	the presence of a T-cell response. So the presence and sufficient activity of
	T-cells is crucial for maximum Immunity In an individual.
	
	TH: We hear a lot about the importance of T-4 cells as regulators of the immune
	system. Please elaborate.
	
	A: Of all the cells in the immune system the T-4 helper cell is the most
	important because it serves as controller of many key functions of immunity.
	It's like the "conductor" who keeps an orchestra playing in tempo and in tune.
	It regulates the delicate balance of the immune system by secreting certain
	Iymphokines and cytokines, among them Interleukin-2 and Interferon, which act as
	messengers to tell specific cells to attack and destroy certain invading
	pathogens. The T-4 cell is also necessary to interact with B-cells, as it
	transforms them into cells which produce antibodies to a particular antigen. In
	addition, the T-4 cell calls upon the bone marrow to manufacture more of itself
	and other types of T-cells and has a role in the production of total white blood
	cell levels, red blood cells and production of the important CD56 natural killer
	cells, which also attack and destroy cancer cells, among others. The key word in
	all this is "regulation." We are beginning to understand that the body has its
	own methods of keeping balance. The cause of many degenerative illnesses is
	increasingly viewed as a "dysregulation" of immunity. For example, autoimmune
	diseases such as Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis or Arthritis are now understood to be
	caused by too strong an immune response of certain cells, which actually attack
	the body. Cancer, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and AIDS are examples of illnesses
	which involve a weakened immunity.
	
	In the past, medicine has tried to either strengthen or decrease immune response
	by certain synthetic agents and drugs. I do not believe in forcing an immune
	response. I feel that the correct way to deal with these illnesses is by a
	well-regulated immune system. Since the T-4 cell is the key to regulation, we
	need to cooperate with nature by protecting and strengthening its activity,
	rather than interfering with or forcing it to behave in a certain manner. The
	widespread use of chemotherapy and radiation in treatment of cancer are
	well-known as damaging to the immune system. In many cases, the patient who
	receives these treatments damages the T-cells and thus his or her ability to
	mount a sufficient immune response to the constant stream of pathogens which
	enter the body every day. Many people treated for cancer die of opportunistic
	infections which would normally be easily handled by a strong immune system.
	
	While a healthy young person aged 21 has an abundance of well-functioning
	T-cells to regulate the immune system, by the age of 40 most adults' immunity
	has been significantly decreased. Now we are learning that this is due to a lack
	of properly programmed T-cells and the shrinking of the thymus gland.
	
	TH: What is the role of the thymus gland in immunity?
	
	A: Since T-4 cells are naive (immature) when born, they will not function unless
	they are programmed by certain thymic protein. I have been fortunate enough to
	be one of the first to discover a specific substance which activates the T-4
	cell, which I call Thymic Protein A. I am the first scientist to produce this
	protein in an intact manner in the laboratory so that it can be administered to
	people to help regulate their immune systems.
		
	The thymus is a ductless gland which lies just beneath the breastbone. We now
	know that it begins to shrink after puberty. By age 40 an average human has only
	a small portion of the thymus still intact as the glandular tissue converts to
	connective and fatty tissue.
	
	In the past 30 years research has shown that newly-loom (naive) T-lymphocytes
	migrate from the bone marrow to the thymus where they are programmed to
	distinguish between "self" and "non-self". Three main classes of cells are
	produced: T-4 helper cells, which help to signal and to turn on certain
	functions and stimulate production of antibodies by the B-lymphocytes; T-8
	cytotoxic (killer) cells, which are guided by the T-4 helper cells to attack and
	destroy invading cells such as viruses and cancer cells; and T-8 suppressor
	cells, which are necessary to terminate attack by the T-8 killer cells.
	
	TH: We have heard of using thymus extracts to treat immune deficiency How does
	Thymic Protein A compare with these extracts?
	
	A: For many decades physicians have treated deficiencies involving the thyroid
	gland, the pancreas, and adrenal gland with physiologic replacements, with the
	theory: "If a gland dries up, replace it." Extracts of thymus generally consist
	of whole thymus gland which is ground and dried or strained into liquid and
	administered in capsules or in sublingual drops. By the very nature of how these
	extracts are processed, the resultant product is a conglomeration of thymus
	tissue, cell debris, fragments of thymus proteins and thymus by-products. These
	extracts are only slightly effective because they are mere fragments. To attain
	full effectiveness a protein must have a specific shape with exact transmitter
	and receptor sites. It is therefore logical that since supplying whole but
	biologically inactive thymus in a processed and fragmented form helps people
	with thymus deficiencies, it would be much more effective to supply a purified
	single thymus protein which is still biologically active.
	
	The new "intact" thymic protein I call Thymic Protein A is the complete
	500-amino chain which fits the receptor site on the T-4 cell. The protein acts
	like specific software which "turns on" the computer (in this case the T-4
	cell). No other thymic extract known compares because none of them are "intact."
	Due to the processing methods I explained previously, they contain only
	fragments of the
	
	whole protein and do not fit the T-4 receptor. That's why even drugs like
	thymosin, a patented thymic fraction, on which many millions of dollars have
	been spent in development, has shown only a mild positive effect, and only when
	used together with doses of interferon to treat hepatitis.
	
	TH: What benefit t to longevity does Thymic Protein A offer?
	
	A: As I stated previously, the thymus has atrophied by the age of 40 and no
	longer produces sufficient proteins to program newly-loom T-cells properly. It
	may well be determined that the atrophy of the thymus is one of nature's methods
	of "programmed death" for humans. Longevity medicine seeks to extend life by
	measuring the body's vital functions, to determine which organs are performing
	at reduced capacity, and attempt to restore their function by replacing the
	missing natural substances such as hormones. Witness the use of human growth
	hormone, melatonin, DHEA and other substances. We now have added to our arsenal
	one of the most important of these natural replacements, Thymic Protein A.
	
	A daily dose of a mere 4 micrograms of this material can make a major difference
	in longevity by strengthening the immune system through its T-cell "programming"
	role. The more T-cells that are properly functioning the more immune response
	may be mounted against all infections and pathogenic agents which are constantly
	entering the body.
	
	TH: What kinds of results have you gotten with Thymic Protein A?
	
	A: The benefits to strengthening the immune system with Thymic Protein A include
	increased stamina, energy, well being and ability to ward off infections.
	Clinical research is already underway, and one pilot study recently completed
	showed that a dose of 12 micrograms of Thymic Protein A daily for 60 days
	produced a 50 percent or greater reduction in the level of Early Antigen
	Epstein-Barr viral loads in 67 percent of individuals tested. These results
	simply confirm the positive anecdotal reports we have received from sufferers of
	Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Another study is underway on Hepatitis C. In the four
	years that Thymic Protein A has been available, anecdotal reports have shown
	protection against flu, resolution of many types of infections, from minor to
	major, as well as benefits in serious illnesses such as cancer. Most significant
	are numerous reports from people undergoing chemotherapy who have taken this
	substance and maintained their total white blood count at acceptable levels. It
	is well-known among oncologists that chemotherapy and radiation will often
	induce a serious drop in white blood count to dangerous levels which may dictate
	cessation of therapy.
	
	TH: Are any doctors using Thymic Protein A?
	
	A: Yes, indeed. Dr. Julian Whitaker has called Thymic Protein A: "Likely the
	most powerful natural stimulant of the immune system ever discovered." Many
	other physicians such as Drs. Robert Atkins, Abram Ber, Jonathan Wright, Lee
	Cowden and Serafina Corsello, are using it regularly in their practices and for
	themselves.
	
	TH: In what form is Thymic Protein A available?
	
	A: Thymic Protein A is sold as a powder in sealed individual dose packets,
	administered under the tongue, where it rapidly dissolves. Each box contains 30
	packets. The suggested use is from 1-3 packets per day. Those who wish to
	improve their immune function may use one packet daily, or every other day.
	Higher doses are not harmful and may be used with additional benefits. Some
	individuals with serious health problems may require higher doses for periods of
	time.
	
	Because the product is so highly purified, no allergic reactions should occur,
	as is possible with whole thymus extracts. The product is made from cultured
	cells, not from actual thymus glands. No animals must be sacrificed and there
	are no considerations of the health of the donor animal, as there would be with
	thymic extracts from whole glands.
	
	The potential of this new thymic protein is just beginning to be realized. The
	implications for protection against infections and overall slowing of the aging
	of the immune system are only a few of the possible benefits of this unique
	substance. One day in the near future all medicine will utilize this protein,
	with an array of other natural substances to protect against the very causes of
	illness and aging. 
	
	


	
  
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