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Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of thymic hormones and immune function. The thymus is a glandular structure derived from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches, which is located beneath the sternum immediately adjacent to the heart. Insufficient data are available to draw any conclusions regarding the physiological significance of the ability of the immune system to activate classic neuroendocrine pathways. However, the fact that such pathways linking the immune system with neuroendocrine circuits do exist warrants further investigation as to what their physiological and potential clinical role is. Any model that is proposed should take into account the dynamic nature of the immune system and the potential interactive effects when multiple hormones are simultaneously released. Thus, a hypothesis predicated on the potential inhibitory effects on the immune system arising from the release of glucocorticoids would have to account for the simultaneous release of β-endorphin, which in some assay systems has been found to increase certain measures of immunity. |
