Last Updated January 31, 2024

 January 31, 2024

Researchers investigating TB-500 and hair growth have come to the right place.

In certain studies, TB-500 has shown potential to promote the formation of new blood vessels and strengthen hair follicles. Further investigation is required. However, the current data makes TB-500 a unique peptide for researchers looking to explore novel hair growth treatments

In this guide, we summarize the available research on TB-500 and hair growth, including the peptide’s documented benefits and safety profile.

Buy TB-500 from our top-rated vendor...

Disclaimer: Peptides.org contains information about products that are intended for laboratory and research use only, unless otherwise explicitly stated. This information, including any referenced scientific or clinical research, is made available for educational purposes only. Likewise, any published information relative to the dosing and administration of reference materials is made available strictly for reference and shall not be construed to encourage the self-administration or any human use of said reference materials. Peptides.org makes every effort to ensure that any information it shares complies with national and international standards for clinical trial information and is committed to the timely disclosure of the design and results of all interventional clinical studies for innovative treatments publicly available or that may be made available. However, research is not considered conclusive. Peptides.org makes no claims that any products referenced can cure, treat or prevent any conditions, including any conditions referenced on its website or in print materials.


What is TB-500?

TB-500 is a synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, a 43 amino acid protein that is found in the cells of many human tissues. Thymosin beta-4 is especially prevalent in white blood cells and strongly associated with tissue repair and wound healing.

Following injury, thymosin beta-4 is released by various types of cells, most notably platelets and macrophages. The protein mobilizes stem and progenitor cells in the body, thereby reducing the number of myofibroblasts in wounds. This has the effect of speeding up healing and drastically reducing the amount of scarring that takes place [1].

Developed as an injectable replica of thymosin beta-4, TB-500 also consists of 43 amino acids and is known to upregulate actin, increase angiogenesis, and contribute to the formation of new blood cells, blood vessels, and muscle tissue fibers [1].

TB-500 is currently classified as a research chemical and has been extensively studied. It may be referred to as Tβ4, FX, TB4X, and TMSB4X in research literature. Qualified researchers interested in investigating TB-500 and hair growth may generally purchase the peptide online as a reference material.


tb-500 hair growth


TB-500 and Hair Growth

TB-500 plays a strong role in wound healing, angiogenesis, cell differentiation, and other biological processes.

Its exact role in hair growth has become a hot topic among peptide researchers over recent years, with the following studies having been undertaken:

  • In 2004, Philip et al. applied topical TB-500 to the skin of rodents, finding that the peptide had the effect of stimulating hair growth through its influence over cell migration and differentiation. The researchers noted that thymosin beta-4 was clearly expressed in rodent epidermal cells in the active phase of the hair growth cycle, with the effect of promoting the migration of stem cells to the base of hair follicles [2].
  • In 2007, Philip et al. used various rodent models, including a thymosin beta-4 overexpressing mouse model, to demonstrate that the peptide induces hair growth via stem cell migration and differentiation [3].
  • In 2010, Cha et al. used a mouse model to demonstrate that overexpression of thymosin beta-4 in the mice was associated with accelerated hair growth, showing the important physiological role that TB-500 plays in hair health [4].
  • In 2015, Gao et al. confirmed the ability of thymosin beta-4 to induce hair growth in another mouse model, showing a link between TB-500 and the speed of hair growth, the pattern of hair follicles, and the number of hair shafts [5].
  • In 2016, Gao et al. examined the number of hair shafts and hair follicle structure in an overexpressing mouse model. The team found that TB-500 influences the growth of blood vessels around hair follicles by regulating levels of VEGF and MMP-2 via the Wnt/β-catenin/Lef-1 signaling pathway [6].
  • In 2019, Li et al. experimented with a TB-500 knock-in cashmere goat and used RNA-seq analysis to show that thymosin beta-4 may promote hair growth by affecting processes such as vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, and vascular permeability around secondary hair follicles [7].
  • As noted by Dai et al. in 2021, the exact mechanism through which TB-500 induces hair growth is not yet fully understood, but the peptide clearly plays multiple roles in hair follicle growth and development [8].

Growing Hair with TB-500 | Is It Possible?

To date, TB-500 hair growth studies have been limited to animal models, which while not ideal, do offer detailed insight into hair growth with TB-500.

For example, in the 2004 study by Philip et al, researchers shaved the sides and/or backs of healthy rats and applied a topical lotion containing TB-500 or control vehicle to each side for one week. Following the treatment, the researchers found:

  • An increased number of anagen‐phase hair follicles in the skin areas treated with thymosin beta-4 (seen below in figs. a and d).
  • An increase in the number of hair follicles in rats treated with TB-500 increased at the wound margins to approximately twice that in the rats treated with the control vehicle.

When the team continued tri-weekly treatment over 30 days, they noticed a retention in the increased number of hairs in the anagen phase [2].

The team concluded that TB-500 promotes hair growth in rats through various mechanisms. For one, the peptide creates blood vessels near hair follicles and promotes hair-clonogenic keratinocyte cell migration. It also accelerates growth during the active phase of the hair follicle cycle by promoting the migration of stem cells to the base of the hair follicles [2].

In another study, the team also tested whether TB-500 could promote hair growth in wild mice. The researchers first determined that all hair follicles of the subjects were in the telogen stage, and then shaved the subjects’ back areas of the mice, before applying either TB-500 or a control vehicle for up to one week.

Following treatment, the TB-500 group mice displayed quick hair regrowth while those of the control group did not. By conducting a histological examination of the mice, the team concluded that TB-500 induced activation of hair follicles.

However, researchers noted that following continuous treatment with TB-500, the newly grown hair persisted for just 30 days and the number of hair follicles dropped to baseline within two weeks of the treatment ending [3].

Sample TB-500 Hair Growth Dosing Protocol

The available research to date indicates the following general TB-500 dosage protocol, which may also be applied for hair growth:

  • Daily Dosage: 1-2mg of TB-500
  • Frequency: Administer one injection daily, following a set schedule.
  • Study Duration: 15-20 days
  • Notes: Each subject would require two to three TB-500 10mg vials, per course.

TB-500 Benefits

Besides its potential to stimulate hair growth, TB-500 has demonstrated other noteworthy benefits across various studies. We include a summary of the main TB-500 benefits below.

  • TB-500 has been shown to improve left ventricular function in mice following myocardial infarction, providing compelling evidence that it is beneficial for tissue repair and may mediate cardioprotection [9].
  • Researchers have found a link between increased levels of plasma thymosin beta-4 in cardiac disease patients undergoing stem cell therapy, revealing its potential in the treatment or management of cardiovascular disease [10].
  • Strong interest in TB-500’s effect on wound healing stems from a 2005 Phase I clinical trial, which found that the peptide plays a key role in dermal- and corneal-wound healing and could support healing in chronic cutaneous wounds [11].
  • According to a 2015 review, TB-500 is potentially beneficial for treating dry eye disorders and other tissue injuries. Three ocular studies have shown that test subjects who self-administered 0.1% Tβ4 eye drops 2 to 6 times per day for four weeks experienced improvements in the rate of healing [12].
  • According to a 2018 study, TB-500 has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties in the specific context of alcoholic liver injury [13].

Is TB-500 Safe?

According to the findings of multiple research teams, TB-500 is non-toxic and has not been linked to any serious side effects:

  • Goldstein et al. reported that TB-500 exhibited “no signs of toxicity at any given dose” and was well-tolerated [11].
  • Sosne and Kleinman (2015) noted that three phase 2 clinical ocular trials involving TB-500 found “no evidence of any adverse events” [12].
  • Crockford D et al. noted that TB-500 has a positive safety profile and has not been linked to any serious adverse events [14].

While highly promising, the above studies have involved small sample sizes with durations of less than one month. For example, with reference to the clinical ocular trials mentioned in Sosne and Kleinman, the researchers noted that “no long-term safety studies have been done with Tβ4 treatment in the eye for more than a month” [12].

Accordingly, researchers should survey all available TB-500 literature before drawing any conclusions relative to the peptide’s safety.


tb-500 hair growth


Where to Buy TB-500 Online? | 2024 Edition

Researchers interested in investigating TB-500 for hair growth should have no problem sourcing this research chemical online.

In our team’s experience, two online vendors of TB-500 stand out.

Limitless Life

Limitless Life is our top-rated research peptide vendor. There's a variety of reasons for this, including the highest quality peptides, great support, and more.

Here's a full breakdown:

  • Purity Tested Peptides: Limitless Life offers research peptides, like TB-500, which have been purity tested by third-party labs. The results of the purity tests are available on their website. Researchers can buy with confidence here knowing they're buying high-quality, pure peptides.
  • Impressive Support and Service: Featuring the premier service and support team in the research peptides industry, Limitless Life replies to questions within one business day typically. Their support team is online 7-days a week.
  • Quick Shipping: There are a variety of shipping options for researchers with Limitless Life. FedEx two-day shipping is standard on domestic orders, whereas overnight same-day shipping is also an option. International shipping is available too.
  • Shipping Insurance: Limitless Life goes even a step further. They offer affordable shipping insurance on any order to ensure researchers are always well taken care of.
  • Secure Checkout System: The easy to use website from Limitless Life provides secure checkout for researchers. All information about the researcher  is secured using SSL encryption.
  • Great Payment Options: Limitless Life offers a wide variety of payment options. This includes all major credit cards, along with e-check, Cash App, and crypto. Researchers will receive discounts for paying with alternative forms of payment.

Not only does Limitless Life offer vials of TB-500, they also offer unique combo formulations like this:

Qualified researchers looking to purchase TB-500 may click the button below, then use the code here to get 10% off:

peptidesorg10

Buy TB-500 from our top-rated vendor...


Research Chemical

Research Chemical is the other peptides supplier we're fond of here at Peptides.org. They do a great job offering the highest quality TB-500.

Here’s what to love about Research Chemical:

  • Third-Party QualityTesting: Research Chemical has peptides, like TB-500, tested by third-party labs. They then publish the results of the purity tests on their website. This ensures purity and the highest quality of peptides.
  • Responsive Service: Their dedicated support and service team replies to all inquiries within 1-2 business days. This is an underrated benefit of buying from Research Chemical.
  • Same-Day Shipping Options: Research Chemical offers speedy same-day or next-day fulfillment. Making it easy and quick for researchers to get their peptides.

Buy research peptides from Research Chemical today...


Bacteriostatic Water and TB-500

Researchers need access to certain supplies to correctly handle TB-500, as well as other research peptides. Research labs should be stocked with the tools to properly store and prepare peptide solutions.

The needed items include alcohol wipes, bacteriostatic water, and several others. It can be a hassle for some researchers to get their hands on all these materials.

We at Peptides.org understand this challenge and are excited to offer our top recommendation for buying all the essential materials for peptide research:

Here it is.


TB-500 Hair Growth | Verdict

In this review, we highlighted the roles of TB-500 in hair growth, covering research on how the peptide mediates hair follicle growth and development in animal models. Namely, we examined how a research team was able to grow hair with TB-500 by creating blood vessels near hair follicles and by promoting the migration of stem cells to those follicles.

We also went over the many other potential uses of TB-500, including tissue repair, wound healing, and eye health. TB-500 has exhibited a favorable safety profile in the research to date, with no major events reported.

Looking to source TB-500 for our top-rated supplier? Just click here.


References

  1. Goldstein AL, Hannappel E, Sosne G, et al. Thymosin β4: a multi-functional regenerative peptide. Basic properties and clinical applications. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2012;12(1):37-51. doi: 10.1517/14712598.2012.634793
  2. Philp D, Nguyen M, Scheremeta B, St-Surin S, Villa AM, Orgel A, Kleinman HK, Elkin M. Thymosin beta4 increases hair growth by activation of hair follicle stem cells. FASEB J. 2004 Feb;18(2):385-7. doi: 10.1096/fj.03-0244fje. Epub 2003 Dec 4. PMID: 14657002.
  3. Philp D, St-Surin S, Cha HJ, Moon HS, Kleinman HK, Elkin M. Thymosin beta 4 induces hair growth via stem cell migration and differentiation. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007 Sep;1112:95-103. doi: 10.1196/annals.1415.009. PMID: 17947589.
  4. Cha HJ, Philp D, Lee SH, Moon HS, Kleinman HK, Nakamura T. Over-expression of thymosin beta 4 promotes abnormal tooth development and stimulation of hair growth. Int J Dev Biol. 2010;54(1):135-40. doi: 10.1387/ijdb.082735hc. PMID: 20013654.
  5. Gao X, Liang H, Hou F, Zhang Z, Nuo M, Guo X, Liu D. Thymosin Beta-4 Induces Mouse Hair Growth. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 17;10(6):e0130040. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130040. PMID: 26083021; PMCID: PMC4470810.
  6. Gao XY, Hou F, Zhang ZP, Nuo MT, Liang H, Cang M, Wang ZG, Wang X, Xu T, Yan LY, Guo XD, Liu DJ. Role of thymosin beta 4 in hair growth. Mol Genet Genomics. 2016 Aug;291(4):1639-46. doi: 10.1007/s00438-016-1207-y. Epub 2016 Apr 29. PMID: 27130465.
  7. Li X, Hao F, Hu X, Wang H, Dai B, Wang X, Liang H, Cang M, Liu D. Generation of Tβ4 knock-in Cashmere goat using CRISPR/Cas9. Int J Biol Sci. 2019 Jul 3;15(8):1743-1754. doi: 10.7150/ijbs.34820. PMID: 31360116; PMCID: PMC6643211.
  8. Dai B, Sha RN, Yuan JL, Liu DJ. Multiple potential roles of thymosin β4 in the growth and development of hair follicles. J Cell Mol Med. 2021 Feb;25(3):1350-1358. doi: 10.1111/jcmm.16241. Epub 2021 Jan 3. PMID: 33393222; PMCID: PMC7875905.
  9. Stark C, Helenius M, Taimen P, et al. Thymosin beta 4 treatment improves left ventricular function after myocardial infarction and is related to Up-regulation of chitinase 3-like-1 in mice. Transl Med Commun. 2016;1(8). doi:10.1186/s41231-016-0008-y
  10. Choudry FA, Yeo C, Mozid A, et al. Increases in plasma Tβ4 after intracardiac cell therapy in chronic ischemic heart failure is associated with symptomatic improvement. Regen Med. 2015;10(4):403-410. doi:10.2217/rme.15.9.
  11. Goldstein AL, Hannappel E, Kleinman HK. Thymosin beta4: actin-sequestering protein moonlights to repair injured tissues. Trends Mol Med. 2005;11(9):421-9.
  12. Sosne G, Kleinman HK. Primary Mechanisms of Thymosin β4 Repair Activity in Dry Eye Disorders and Other Tissue Injuries. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2015;56(9):5110-7. doi:10.1167/iovs.15-16890.
  13. Shah R, Reyes-Gordillo K, Cheng Y, et al. Thymosin β4 Prevents Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Fibrosis in Ethanol- and LPS-Induced Liver Injury in Mice. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:9630175. doi:10.1155/2018/9630175
  14. Crockford D, Turjman N, Allan C, et al. Thymosin beta4: structure, function, and biological properties supporting current and future clinical applications. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2010;1194:179-89. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2010.05492.x

Scientifically Fact Checked by:

David Warmflash, M.D.

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents