BPC-157

Overview

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide (15 amino acids) derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. First identified in the early 1990s, it has been the subject of numerous animal studies investigating its regenerative and protective properties.

Despite lacking human clinical trial data, BPC-157 has become one of the most discussed peptides in athletic and biohacking communities due to promising preclinical results for tissue healing and gut health.

Sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val

Mechanism of Action

BPC-157's mechanisms are not fully elucidated but appear multifactorial:

Angiogenesis Promotion

• Upregulates VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)
• Promotes new blood vessel formation
• Enhances blood supply to injured tissues

Growth Factor Modulation

• Increases expression of growth hormone receptors
• Modulates FAK-paxillin pathway
• Influences tendon fibroblast migration

Nitric Oxide System

• Interacts with NO system
• May mediate vasodilation effects
• Influences healing through NO-dependent pathways

Dopamine System

• Demonstrates dopaminergic effects in some studies
• May protect against dopamine neuron damage
• Potential applications in neurological conditions

Gastrointestinal Protection

• Maintains GI mucosal integrity
• Anti-ulcer effects demonstrated in multiple models
• Cytoprotective against NSAIDs and alcohol

Research Summary

Tendon and Ligament Studies (Animal Models)

Achilles Tendon (Rat)

• Accelerated healing following transection
• Increased collagen organization
• Improved biomechanical properties

MCL Injury (Rat)

• Enhanced healing compared to controls
• Improved tensile strength

Rotator Cuff (Rat)

• Promoted tendon-to-bone healing
• Increased load to failure

Gastrointestinal Studies

Muscle Studies (Animal)

• Accelerated healing of crushed muscle
• Reduced muscle atrophy from denervation
• Improved recovery after toxin-induced damage

Neurological Studies (Animal)

• Neuroprotective against various toxins
• Reduced brain damage in trauma models
• Potential antidepressant-like effects

Key Limitations

• No published human clinical trials
• Most studies in rodent models
• Doses and routes vary significantly across studies
• Long-term effects unknown

Pharmacokinetics

Note: Human pharmacokinetic data not available

Common Protocols

Note: BPC-157 is not approved for human use. The following represents protocols discussed in research communities, not medical recommendations.

Research Community Protocols

Typical Dosing Ranges:

• 200-300 mcg twice daily (common)
• 250-500 mcg once or twice daily (higher range)
• Duration: 4-12 weeks typical

Administration Routes:

• Subcutaneous (near injury site - preferred for localized issues)
• Intramuscular
• Oral (some report efficacy for GI issues)

Reconstitution (Lyophilized Form)

• Typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic water
• Common dilution: 5mg in 2mL = 2.5mg/mL
• Store reconstituted at 2-8°C
• Use within 4-6 weeks of reconstitution

Administration

Subcutaneous Injection

• Most common route in research settings
• Injection near affected area often preferred
• Use insulin syringes (29-31 gauge)
• Rotate injection sites

Oral Administration

• Discussed for GI-related applications
• Peptide shows unusual stability in gastric environment
• Some research suggests systemic absorption
• Less common for musculoskeletal applications

Timing

• Often split into twice-daily doses
• Some prefer morning and evening administration
• No established optimal timing

Side Effects

Reported in Animal Studies

• Generally well-tolerated in animal models
• No significant adverse effects at studied doses
• No carcinogenic or mutagenic signals in available data

Anecdotal Reports (Human Use)

• Nausea (particularly oral administration)
• Dizziness (rare)
• Injection site reactions
• Headache (rare)
• Fatigue (uncommon)

Theoretical Concerns

• Angiogenesis could theoretically affect tumor growth
• Long-term effects unknown
• Interaction with existing conditions unstudied

Interactions

Theoretical Interactions

• NSAIDs: May have synergistic GI protective effects
• Growth factors: Potential interactions unknown
• Chemotherapy: Angiogenesis effects could be concerning

Contraindications (Theoretical)

• Active cancer (due to angiogenic potential)
• Pregnancy/nursing (no safety data)
• Pre-existing conditions (unstudied)

Community Insights

The following represents aggregated reports from online communities and should not be considered medical advice or verified claims.

Commonly Reported Experiences

• Many report accelerated recovery from tendon/ligament injuries
• Gut health improvements frequently mentioned
• Some report mood improvements
• "Systemic" healing effects described by some
• Often stacked with TB-500 for synergistic effects

Practical Tips Shared

• Injection near injury site commonly recommended
• Oral use seems preferred for GI applications
• Quality varies significantly between sources
• Third-party testing recommended

Common Stacks

• BPC-157 + TB-500 (popular healing combination)
• BPC-157 + GHK-Cu (skin/healing)
• Often used during recovery from injury or surgery

Concerns Discussed

• Lack of human clinical data is frequently noted
• Source quality is a major concern
• Long-term safety unknown
• Cost can be prohibitive

References

1. Sikiric P, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2011;17(16):1612-32. [PMID: 21548867]

2. Staresinic M, et al. Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 accelerates healing of transected rat Achilles tendon and in vitro stimulates tendocytes growth. J Orthop Res. 2003;21(6):976-83. [PMID: 14554208]

3. Chang CH, et al. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. J Appl Physiol. 2011;110(3):774-80. [PMID: 21030672]

4. Seiwerth S, et al. BPC 157 and Standard Angiogenic Growth Factors. Gastrointestinal Tract Healing, Lesson from Tendon, Ligament, Muscle and Bone Healing. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(18):1972-1989. [PMID: 29756563]

5. Sikiric P, et al. Brain-gut Axis and Pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Theoretical and Practical Implications. Curr Neuropharmacol. 2016;14(8):857-865. [PMID: 27306034]

6. Krivic A, et al. Achilles detachment in rat and stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Promoted tendon-to-bone healing and target sites. J Orthop Res. 2006;24(5):982-9. [PMID: 16514660]