BPC-157: Science-Backed Research Insights

Written by Johnathon Anderson, Ph.D., a research scientist, and Associate Professor at the University of California Davis School of Medicine 

What is BPC-157?

BPC-157 regulates leukocyte signaling pathways and tissue modulating properties. BPC-157, made up of 15 amino acids (Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val), was discovered in gastric juices in 1991 by Dr. Sikiric, MD, PhD. (1) BPC-157 research has been published in over 180 scientific, peer-reviewed papers demonstrating its signaling pathway properties. BPC-157 has been shown to help modulate tissue physiology associated with ligaments, tendons, muscle, and gastrointestinal tract. (2, 3)

BPC-157 Research

BPC-157 effects ligaments, and tendons in research on animal models. (4) A published study associated positive metrics to the application of thymosin beta 4, which is the protein from which the amino acid sequence of TB-500 is derived. (4) The signaling pathways that BPC-157 and TB-500 potentiate have been studied in over 180 research studies. However, further testing is still needed.

BPC-157 modulates tendon physiology, as demonstrated in several published studies. These studies suggest that BPC-157 could potentially regulate tendon homeostasis. (5) BPC-157 has been shown to correlate to biomechanically withstand an increased load prior to failure, a higher load before failure per area, and increased Young’s modulus of elasticity. (6)

In addition, BPC-157 was shown to induce more mononuclear cells and less granulocytes in tendon tissues, along with superior formation of fibroblasts, and connective structures containing reticulin and collagen. (7) BPC-157 treatment also resulted in attenuated pathology and the modulation of integrity. (8) (9) In addition, BPC-157 has been correlated with alterations of macroscopic and histological assessments in connective tissue studies. (9)

BPC-157 regulates the physiology of myocytes and myotubules. (10) In studies, BPC-157 has been shown to alter the biomechanical load of myotubules prior to failure and ambulatory measures with the motor function index returning to baseline values. Histological analysis determined that BPC-157 resulted in significant desmin staining positivity, which is a signaling pathway associated with myotubule physiology, and myofibril with larger diameters similar to that of baseline values.

BPC-157 has been reported to regulate mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa physiology. In one study, BPC-157 altered epithelium loss and hemorrhagic lesions in a research model. (11) In one published study, BPC-157 is reported to have modulated metrics associated with homeostasis. In another study, BPC-157 regulated signaling pathways in a model of colocutaneous fistulas.

Mechanisms of Action of BPC-157

BPC-157, also known as Body Protection Compound 157, is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a natural and stable gastric peptide in the body, making it a highly biocompatible therapy. BPC-157 promotes nitric oxide synthesis and activates homeostasis. BPC-157 is known from studies to promote fibroblast motility and proliferation.

References

1] P Sikiri et al, “Antiulcerogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of a new gastric juice peptide - Body Protection Compound” (1991) Exp Clin Gastroenterol 1, 17-20 https://www.academia.edu/16245074/A_new_gastric_juice_peptide_BPC_An_overview_of_the_stomach_stress_organoprotection_hypothesis_and_beneficial_effects_of_BPC

2] P Sikiri et al, “A new gastric juice peptide, BPC. An overview of the stomach-stress-organoprotection hypothesis and beneficial effects of BPC” J Physiology (1993) 87, 313-327 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/092842579390038U?via%3Dihub

3] S Seiwerth et al, “Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Wound Healing” Front Pharmacol (2021) Jun 29:12:627533 https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2021.627533/full

4] Lee et al, “Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain” Altern Ther Health Med (2021) Jul;27(4):8-13 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34324435/

5] M Japjec et al, “Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a Therapy for the Disable Myotendinous Junctions in Rats” Biomedicines (2021) Oct 27;9(11):1547 https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/9/11/1547

6] Chung-Hsun Chang, Wen-Chung Tsai, Miao-Sui Lin, Ya-Hui Hsu, Jong-Hwei Su Pang "The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration" J Appl Physiol (1985) 2011 Mar;110(3):774-80 https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010?rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed&url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org

7] M Staresinic, B Sebecic, L Patrlj, S Jadrijevic, S Suknaic, D Perovic, G Aralica, N Zarkovic, S Borovic, M Srdjak, K Hajdarevic, M Kopljar, L Batelja, A Boban-Blagaic, I Turcic, T Anic, S Seiwerth, P Sikiric "Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 accelerates healing of transected rat Achilles tendon and in vitro stimulates tendocytes growth" J Orthop Res 2003 Nov;21(6):976-83 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0736026603001104

8] Sven Seiwerth, Marija Milavic, Jaksa Vukojevic, Slaven Gojkovic, Ivan Krezic, Lovorka Batelja Vuletic, Predrag Sikiric "Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Wound Healing" Front Pharmacol 2021 Jun 29;12:627533 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8275860/

9] T Cerovecki et al, “Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat” J Orthop Res (2010) Sep;28(9):1155-61 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20225319/

10] T Novinscak et al, “Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as an effective therapy for muscle crush injury in the rat” Surg Today (2008) 38(8):716-25 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00595-007-3706-2

11] S Gojkovic et al, “Robert's Intragastric Alcohol-Induced Gastric Lesion Model as an Escalated General Peripheral and Central Syndrome, Counteracted by the Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157” Biomedicines (2021) Sep 23;9(10):1300 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34680419/