BPC157 Oligopeptide
Also known as: BPC-157, Body Protection Compound 157, Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157, BPC157
Overview
BPC157, or Body Protection Compound 157, is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. It's primarily investigated for its potential to accelerate the healing of soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and to protect organs from injury. BPC157 exhibits regenerative and cytoprotective properties, promotes angiogenesis, and modulates inflammatory responses. It is not naturally occurring in significant quantities outside the stomach but is synthesized for therapeutic use. Research is primarily preclinical, with extensive animal model research but a lack of human clinical trials. Available evidence is mainly from animal studies and in vitro experiments, highlighting the need for high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in humans to validate its effects and safety.
Benefits
BPC157 has demonstrated potential benefits in preclinical studies, particularly in animal models. It accelerates the healing of musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries, such as tendon, ligament, and skeletal muscle damage. This peptide also promotes angiogenesis, enhancing tissue repair by forming new blood vessels. Furthermore, BPC157 protects against organ damage, including liver, kidney, and lung injuries, following ischemia-reperfusion injury in animal models. It may counteract corticosteroid-induced impairment of muscle and tendon healing. Additionally, it has shown promise in reducing brain damage in rodent models of multiple sclerosis-like injury. However, it's crucial to note that these benefits are primarily observed in animal studies, and human data are currently lacking.
How it works
BPC157 enhances angiogenesis by upregulating vascular endothelial growth factors and related pathways. It modulates inflammatory cytokines to foster a regenerative environment. The peptide increases the expression of proteins involved in cell migration and adhesion, such as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and paxillin, facilitating fibroblast proliferation and tendon healing. BPC157 interacts with musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, nervous, and vascular systems. Its known molecular targets include FAK, paxillin, endothelial growth factors, and potentially nitric oxide pathways. It is effective via systemic administration in animal models through intraperitoneal, oral, or local application, but its bioavailability in humans remains unknown.
Side effects
Animal studies report few adverse effects associated with BPC157, and no significant toxicity has been noted in preclinical models. However, due to the limited human data, common, uncommon, and rare side effects are largely unknown. One potential drug interaction identified is with corticosteroids, where BPC157 may counteract corticosteroid-induced healing impairment. Contraindications have not been established due to the lack of human studies. Special population considerations are also currently undefined. Given the absence of comprehensive human clinical trials, a thorough understanding of the safety profile of BPC157 in humans is still needed, and caution is advised.
Dosage
Optimal dosage ranges for BPC157 in humans have not been established due to the lack of human clinical trials. In animal studies, effective doses vary widely, ranging from 10 ng/kg to 10 μg/kg administered intragastrically or intraperitoneally. The maximum safe dose for humans is currently unknown. In animal models, BPC157 is often administered immediately post-injury and daily to promote healing. Preclinical studies have used intraperitoneal injections, oral solutions, and topical creams. BPC157's stability in gastric juice suggests that oral administration is feasible. There are no identified required cofactors. Until human studies provide more clarity, specific dosage recommendations cannot be made.
FAQs
Is BPC157 safe for human use?
No human clinical trials have confirmed the safety of BPC157. Animal studies suggest low toxicity, but human data are lacking, so caution is advised.
How quickly does BPC157 work?
In animal models, accelerated healing has been observed within days to weeks of BPC157 administration.
Can BPC157 be taken orally?
Animal studies suggest oral administration is effective, but human pharmacokinetics are unknown, so the effectiveness of oral BPC157 in humans is uncertain.
Is BPC157 approved by regulatory agencies?
BPC157 has not received approvals for medical use from regulatory agencies and remains experimental.
Does BPC157 interact with medications?
BPC157 may counteract corticosteroid-induced healing impairment. Other potential interactions are currently unknown.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30915550/ – This review of rodent studies highlights the positive effects of BPC157 on healing tendons, ligaments, and muscles, emphasizing its angiogenic and cytoprotective properties. The review points out the absence of human trials and the need for further research to understand its mechanisms and clinical applicability. The limitations include the reliance on small animal models and limited research groups.
- https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/61/2/291 – This animal study demonstrated BPC157's protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in liver, kidney, and lung tissues in rats, indicating systemic organ protection beyond musculoskeletal healing. The study was well-controlled but limited to animal models, which restricts the direct applicability of the findings to humans. Further research is needed to confirm these effects in human clinical trials.
- https://index.mirasmart.com/AAOS2025/PDFfiles/AAOS2025-009087.PDF – This animal RCT investigated BPC157's ability to improve muscle healing impaired by corticosteroids in rats. The results showed faster functional recovery and histological healing with BPC157 treatment despite corticosteroid administration. While the sample sizes were adequate for animal studies, the translation of these findings to humans remains uncertain.
- https://examine.com/supplements/bpc-157/research/ – Examine.com's research summary collates multiple preclinical studies showing that BPC157 promotes tendon fibroblast proliferation and reduces oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo, supporting its role in tissue regeneration. The evidence is primarily preclinical and mechanistic, indicating a need for further clinical trials to validate these findings in humans. The summary provides a broad overview of the existing preclinical evidence.
- https://medscimonit.com/abstract/index/idArt/878454 – This study investigated BPC-157's effects on muscle healing impaired by corticosteroids in rats, finding that BPC-157 led to faster functional recovery and histological healing. The research suggests BPC-157 can counteract the negative effects of corticosteroids on muscle repair. However, the study's findings are limited to animal models, and further research is needed to determine if similar effects occur in humans.
