The present invention provides methods of reducing mortality in a subject exposed to a lethal dose of radiation, methods of reducing the risk of developing bacterial, fungal or viral systemic infection in a subject who is exposed or not exposed to radiation, methods of prevention and treatment of oral complications, particularly oral complications as a result of treatment with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, methods of treating dermal ulcers, particularly diabetic dermal ulcers, pressure dermal ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, and arterial ulcers, methods of promoting bone growth, and methods of promoting cartilage growth and repair in a subject in need thereof, by administering a thrombin peptide derivative to a subject. The administration may be local or systemic.
