TB-500 20 mg — Quick Chart
Dosing & Reconstitution Overview
TB-500 is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal active fragment of thymosin beta-4, the heptapeptide region built around the Ac-LKKTETQ sequence. The figures below are compiled strictly for laboratory and educational reference — they describe how the compound has been handled and dosed in the research literature, not a recommendation for use in humans or animals.
For a 20 mg vial, adding 4.0 mL of bacteriostatic water yields a concentration of 5 mg/mL (5000 mcg/mL). At that concentration, every 0.01 mL drawn on a U-100 insulin syringe — one unit on the barrel — delivers 50 mcg of material, so a 500 mcg increment is simply 10 units, which keeps the arithmetic clean across the schedule.
Standard (Gradual) Titration Schedule
The gradual schedule reflects the slow ramp commonly modelled in the literature, where the daily amount is stepped up every couple of weeks rather than starting at the ceiling. All units below assume the 5 mg/mL fill described above.
| Phase | Daily Dose | Units (U-100) | Volume | Vials / Dose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 500 mcg | 10 units | 0.10 mL | — |
| Weeks 3–4 | 600 mcg | 12 units | 0.12 mL | — |
| Weeks 5–8 | 750 mcg | 15 units | 0.15 mL | — |
| Weeks 9–12 | 1000 mcg | 20 units | 0.20 mL | — |
Reconstitution Steps
- Let the sealed lyophilized vial and the bacteriostatic water reach room temperature, then wipe both stoppers with an alcohol swab.
- Draw 4.0 mL of bacteriostatic water and inject it slowly down the inside wall of the vial — never directly onto the powder pellet.
- Swirl gently until fully dissolved. Do not shake; aggressive agitation can shear the peptide.
- The solution should be clear and colourless. Label the vial with the concentration (5 mg/mL) and the reconstitution date.
- Store upright under refrigeration between uses and draw subsequent volumes with a fresh sterile syringe each time.
Advanced (Loading & Maintenance) Schedule
A common alternative pattern frontloads exposure with a higher-frequency loading block, then drops to a lighter maintenance cadence. This concentrates the weekly total (~5 mg) into the first weeks before tapering the frequency.
| Phase | Dose & Frequency | Units (U-100) | Volume | Weekly Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading (Weeks 1–4) | 1000 mcg daily | 20 units | 0.20 mL | ~7 mg |
| Maintenance (Weeks 5–8) | 1000 mcg, 2× / week | 20 units | 0.20 mL | ~2 mg |
| Maintenance (Weeks 9+) | 1000 mcg, 1× / week | 20 units | 0.20 mL | ~1 mg |
The loading-then-maintenance approach mirrors how regenerative-peptide studies front-load the total weekly exposure during the early repair window before tapering to an intermittent hold.
Supplies Needed
- TB-500 vials (20 mg): ~2 vials for an 8-week gradual run; ~3 vials for a 12-week run; ~2 vials for a loading-plus-maintenance block.
- Insulin syringes (U-100, 1 mL): ~56 for an 8-week daily schedule; ~84 for 12 weeks (one fresh syringe per draw).
- Bacteriostatic water (10 mL): one bottle covers ~2 vials; a single bottle is sufficient for most 8–12 week runs.
- Alcohol swabs: one to two 100-count boxes comfortably cover an 8–12 week schedule.
Protocol Overview
- Research goal: model tissue repair, angiogenesis and cell migration driven by the thymosin beta-4 active fragment.
- Schedule: once-daily subcutaneous administration in the standard model, tapering to intermittent maintenance.
- Dose band: 500–1000 mcg daily, averaging roughly 5 mg per week.
- Fill: 20 mg lyophilized, reconstituted to 5 mg/mL with 4 mL diluent.
- Storage: −20 °C dry; 2–8 °C once reconstituted.
Dosing Protocol Notes
- Begin at the lowest 500 mcg step and hold each level for about two weeks before escalating.
- Keep daily administration on a consistent time of day for steady exposure modelling.
- Typical research blocks run 8–12 weeks, with an optional extension to 16 weeks.
- The 750–1000 mcg band carries most of the daily exposure in the published modelling.
Storage Instructions
Keep sealed lyophilized vials at −20 °C, protected from light, where stability extends for many months. Once reconstituted, refrigerate at 2–8 °C and use within about 28 days; do not freeze the reconstituted solution. Allow refrigerated solution to warm slightly before drawing, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles, and aliquot if a vial will be sampled many times.
Important Handling Notes
- Use a sterile syringe for every draw and never re-enter the vial with a used needle.
- Rotate sampling/handling technique to keep the stopper intact.
- Keep the larger 4 mL fill upright and capped to limit evaporation losses over a long run.
- Document each draw — date, volume, remaining material — for reproducibility.
How TB-500 Works
TB-500 is a synthetic version of the N-terminal active region of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring actin-sequestering peptide. The fragment is thought to promote angiogenesis, support wound healing and aid tissue regeneration by upregulating cell motility and new blood-vessel formation. Mechanistically, much of the activity is attributed to the actin-binding domain that influences cytoskeletal dynamics and cell migration. More recent analytical work suggests the compound may behave as a prodrug, cleaving in vivo to a shorter active pentapeptide metabolite that carries part of the biological signal.
Reported Benefits & Side Effects
Benefits observed in research
- Accelerated wound healing and tissue repair in preclinical models.
- Enhanced angiogenesis and cell migration via actin-cytoskeleton effects.
- Indirect reductions in inflammation and fibrosis through thymosin pathways.
- Generally well tolerated in the available veterinary and animal studies.
Side effects reported
- Occasional mild injection-site reactions such as redness or tenderness.
- Human safety data is limited; no large-scale clinical trials have been completed.
- Prohibited in competitive sport under anti-doping regulations.
Injection Technique (Reference Only)
- Clean the vial stopper and the site with alcohol swabs and let them air-dry.
- Insert subcutaneously at a 45–90° angle depending on needle length; aspiration is not required for subcutaneous work.
- Inject slowly and pause 5–10 seconds before withdrawing the needle.
- Rotate sites systematically (abdomen, thighs, upper arms) and dispose of sharps in an approved container.
References
- Goldstein AL, et al. Biological activities of thymosin β4 and its fragments. FASEB Journal (2010). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20179146
- Esposito S, et al. Doping-control analysis of TB-500 in equine and human samples. Journal of Chromatography A (2012). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23084823
- Malinda KM, et al. Thymosin β4 accelerates dermal wound healing. Journal of Investigative Dermatology (1999). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10469335
- Knych HK, et al. TB-500 metabolites and the prodrug hypothesis. Journal of Chromatography B (2024). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38382158
- Best practices for subcutaneous injection technique. NCBI Bookshelf. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK138495