TB-500
Ac-LKKTETQ | Synthetic Fragment (17-23) of Thymosin Beta-4
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What is TB-500?
TB-500 is a lab-made 7-amino-acid fragment of a larger protein called thymosin beta-4, originally developed for veterinary use in horses. Researchers study it for tissue-repair pathways — how it may influence cell movement and blood-vessel formation in animal-model studies. It's sold here strictly for laboratory research use, not for use in people or animals.
Key terms:
TB-500 is a synthetic thymosin fragment.
TB-500 is a lab-made peptide of seven amino acids (Ac-LKKTETQ). It copies positions 17-23 of thymosin beta-4, the region that binds actin, a protein cells use to move and rebuild. It was originally developed for veterinary use in horses. Researchers study it for tissue repair and inflammation, and it holds up better than the full-length peptide. WADA bans it as performance-enhancing.
Key research areas
- Studied for systemic tissue-repair effects following injectable administration
- Researched for effects on healing of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and organs in animal models
- Studied for effects on cell migration and angiogenesis relevant to tissue regeneration
Researched dosing
This table shows how researchers have structured study designs with TB-500 — dose ranges and schedules drawn from published research, presented as methodology reference, not usage instructions.
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| General tissue-repair models | 2-3mg | 2x weekly | SubQ or IM |
| Major-injury recovery models | 4-5mg | 3x weekly | SubQ near injury site |
| Athletic-performance studies | 2-3mg | 2x weekly | SubQ |
| Chronic-condition models | 3-4mg | 2-3x weekly | SubQ or IM |
| Maintenance | 2mg | 1-2x weekly | SubQ |
| Post-surgical recovery models | 3-5mg | 3x weekly | SubQ |
Commonly cycled 12 weeks on, 4+ weeks off.
How it works
At the cell level, TB-500 research looks at how this thymosin beta-4 fragment binds actin (a cell-structure protein) to help cells migrate to injury sites and support new blood-vessel growth — the terms below are just the names for those signaling steps.
Injectable TB-500 provides systemic distribution for whole-body tissue-repair research. Acts as the principal actin-sequestering protein, regulating cell migration, promoting angiogenesis, reducing inflammation, and activating stem cell differentiation — mechanisms studied in relation to tissue healing.
Molecular data
These figures — molecular weight, sequence, chain length — are the chemistry fingerprint researchers use to confirm a TB-500 sample's identity; at just 7 amino acids, it's a small fragment of the larger thymosin beta-4 protein.
- Weight
- 889.02 Da
- Length
- 7 amino acids
- Type
- Thymosin fragment
Ac-Leu-Lys-Lys-Thr-Glu-Thr-Gln
Pharmacokinetics
This chart shows how quickly a research dose of TB-500 is absorbed and cleared in animal studies — read it like a timer: the peak is when levels are highest, then the curve trails off as the compound clears.
- Peak
- 0.5 hr
- Half-life
- 2.5 hrs
- Cleared
- ~12.5 hrs
Goldstein et al.
Research applications
This section lists the body systems and research areas scientists have investigated for TB-500 — a summary of what's been studied in animal models and limited human data, not medical claims about people.
Tissue Repair
Animal studies report faster healing of muscle fibers, reduced recovery time from muscle injuries, and improved muscle tissue repair via cell migration and differentiation. Research also reports effects on connective-tissue repair, scar formation, and the biomechanical properties of healing tendons and ligaments, along with dermal wound closure, angiogenesis, and inflammation in both acute and chronic wound models.
Athletic Recovery
Systemic distribution is studied for whole-body tissue-repair effects, including research interest in athletic-recovery contexts for acute and chronic injuries.
Neurological
Research reports potential neuroprotective effects via systemic distribution mechanisms.
Dosage reference
- Doses used in research
- 2–3 mg
- Frequency in studies
- 2-3x weekly
- Handling
- Reconstituted solution — research use only; not for administration
- Timeline reported in studies
- 2-4 weeks for tissue effects, 1-2 weeks for inflammation
- Storage
- Fridge 2-6°C, use within 28 days
- Cycle length
- 6-12 weeks
- Break between cycles
- 4-6 weeks
Interactions
This list shows which other peptides researchers have studied alongside TB-500, and why — several tissue-repair-focused peptides appear often in the same preclinical study designs.
Reconstitution & storage
This is the standard laboratory method for turning freeze-dried TB-500 powder into a liquid research solution — the same basic water-based mixing process used for most peptide research.
- Clean work area and hands thoroughly with alcohol
- Calculate required BAC water volume using calculator below
- Draw calculated BAC water slowly into syringe
- Inject BAC water slowly down the side of vial (never directly onto powder)
- Gently swirl vial until powder completely dissolves (never shake vigorously)
- Store the reconstituted solution refrigerated (2–8°C), labeled with the date and concentration, for laboratory research use only.
Lyophilized: 2-8°C, use within As per manufacturer
Reconstituted: 2-6°C, use within 28 days
Open the TB-500 reconstitution calculatorQuality indicators
These are the visual and lab-report checks researchers use to confirm a TB-500 sample is pure and correctly identified before it goes into a study — a quick sanity check against the Certificate of Analysis (COA), not a guarantee.
White Lyophilized Powder - TB-500 should appear as a white to off-white, fine powder that is evenly distributed in the vial. Proper lyophilization creates a light, fluffy texture.
Clear Solution After Reconstitution - When properly reconstituted with BAC water, TB-500 should form a completely clear, colorless solution with no visible particles or cloudiness.
Proper Vacuum Seal - Vial should have intact vacuum seal with no cracks or damage. The rubber stopper should be secure and show no signs of contamination.
Slight Powder Clumping - Minor clumping during shipping is acceptable if it dissolves completely with gentle swirling. Avoid shaking vigorously.
Colored or Crystalline Powder - Any discoloration (yellow, brown) or crystalline appearance may indicate degradation or contamination. Should appear as fine white powder only.
Persistent Cloudiness - If solution remains cloudy, has floating particles, or shows precipitation after reconstitution, the peptide may be degraded or contaminated.
What to expect
This timeline summarizes what animal-model research literature has reported at each stage of a study — research context for comparing studies, not a personal-results promise.
Reduced inflammation and improved tissue sensation
Accelerated healing rate and improved tissue quality
Maximum tissue repair and regenerative benefits
Continued improvement in tissue strength and function
Safety notes
This section covers how TB-500 is regulated and handled in a laboratory setting — research-use-only scope, storage cautions, and its WADA-prohibited status, not medical safety advice for people.
- Consult healthcare provider if on immunosuppressive medications
- Not recommended during active cancer treatment
- Avoid during pregnancy or breastfeeding
- WADA prohibited - not for competitive athletes
Regulatory status
- Not approved by the FDA for any indication.
- Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
- Supplied and described for laboratory research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
Community data
Community Insights
Based on data the community reported. Not clinical proof.
Frequently asked questions
What is TB-500?
TB-500 is a synthetic seven-amino-acid fragment (Ac-LKKTETQ) corresponding to the actin-binding region — positions 17 to 23 — of the protein thymosin beta-4. Originally developed for veterinary use in horses, it is more stable than the full peptide and is studied in animal models for tissue-repair and cell-migration pathways. Lux BioPure supplies it strictly as a research chemical for laboratory study, not for use in people or animals.
What class of compound is TB-500?
TB-500 is classified as a synthetic thymosin fragment — a short, actin-binding peptide of just seven amino acids with a molecular weight around 889 daltons and the sequence Ac-Leu-Lys-Lys-Thr-Glu-Thr-Gln. In laboratory research it is studied as the principal actin-sequestering fragment, a neutral biochemical description of how it interacts with the cell-structure protein actin.
How is TB-500 typically reconstituted for research use?
In the lab, lyophilized TB-500 powder is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water: the diluent is added slowly down the vial wall rather than directly onto the powder, then the vial is gently swirled — never shaken vigorously — until the solution is completely clear and colorless. The reconstituted research solution is labeled with its date and concentration and refrigerated. This is standard peptide-handling methodology, not a usage instruction.
How should reconstituted TB-500 be stored in the lab?
Lyophilized TB-500 is kept refrigerated at 2–8°C per the manufacturer's specification. Once reconstituted with bacteriostatic water, the solution should be kept at roughly 2–6°C and used within about 28 days. Researchers confirm a sound sample by its white to off-white, fine, evenly distributed powder and a completely clear, colorless, particle-free solution after gentle mixing.
Is TB-500 legal to purchase for research in Canada?
Lux BioPure sells TB-500 in Canada strictly as a research-use-only chemical for laboratory study — it is not for human or veterinary use and is not offered as a drug or supplement. TB-500 is not an approved drug, and it appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list, so it is not permitted for competitive athletes.
References
Pilot study showed TB-500 pre-treated endothelial progenitor cell transplantation improved left ventricular function by >50% in post-MI patients.
View StudyTB-500 improved skeletal muscle fiber regeneration in dystrophin-deficient mice, showing potential for muscular dystrophy treatment.
View StudyTopical TB-500 eye drops significantly improved signs and symptoms of moderate to severe dry eye with lasting effects beyond treatment period.
View Study