ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: As one of biological modifiers of immune reaction, thymomodulin is known to be peptide derivatives of thyrnic acid. Lysate, and thymomodulin can stimulate antibody formations by increasmg the functions of B and T tymphocytes. Furthermore, GM-CSF and TNF can be released by thymomodulin resulting in relief from bone marrow suppression. And these actions of thymomodulin affer a new therapeutic modality in chronic diseases ot the liver as well as chronic hronchitis. Although interferons are frequently under trials for chronic viral hepatitis B. anothersome of side etTec ts and cost effectiveness is often refractory to be used. Herein, this study was intended to estimate the effectiveness and side effects of per oral thymomodulin. METHODS: Forty one patients with chronic viral hepatitis showing positivity of HBsAg over 6 months were treated with per oral thymomodulin (15mlAmg/ml, h vice daily, over 6 months), Clinical data of preand post-trial states were prospectively investigated. RESULTS: As a result, negative conversion of HBV DNA izvealed 20.6% out ol 34 patients showed HBsAg positivity. HBeAg was isappeared in 10.4 % among the 29 cases. Only two cases were shown the clearance of HBsAg. However. These data are statistically insignificant in comparison to the control group (p>0.05, chi-square test). The desirable effects were noticed as disappearance of acne in 5 cases, and amelioration of menstrual abnormalities in 3 cases. Undesirable side effects were only mild nausea in 3 cases, and indigestion in 2 cases. CONCLUSIONS: On thc basis of these data, it is suggested that oral thymomodulin is an easy and safe therapeutic approach in chronic viral hepatitis B but remains to be heralded by long-term clinical trials.