BPC-157
Not FDA-approved
Also known as: Body Protection Compound-157, Pentadecapeptide BPC 157
BPC-157 is a lab-made chain of 15 amino acids, based on part of a protective protein found in human stomach juice. Decades of rat studies suggest it speeds healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, stomach ulcers and fistulas. Two small randomized human trials reported so far found no benefit.
How it works
- In animal and cell studies, it grows new small blood vessels at injury sites by activating VEGFR2, a growth-factor receptor. This is its most consistent finding.
- In animal studies, it raises nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels and helps protect the stomach lining.
- In lab tests on rat tendon cells, the cells involved in healing (fibroblasts) moved faster and survived stress better.
- In animal injury models, it lowers inflammatory signals such as TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6.
Evidence
Tendon, ligament and muscle healing
In rats, it sped healing of cut tendons, ligaments and muscles. No randomized human trial has shown this benefit.
Stomach lining injury, ulcers and fistulas
In rats, it protected the stomach from damage by alcohol and anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs), and helped ulcers and fistulas heal. No human trial has shown this benefit.
Healing after knee surgery and ulcerative colitis (small human trials)
In a small trial after knee surgery, one injection made no difference at six months or one year. In a small ulcerative colitis trial, enema treatment did no better than placebo.
Caveats
- Two small randomized human trials found no benefit: one in ulcerative colitis compared with placebo, and one after knee surgery compared with no injection.
- There are no human data on taking it by mouth, as an under-the-skin injection, as a nasal spray or through the skin. After an enema, it could not be detected in the blood.
- Animal safety findings are mixed. A published safety study reported no serious toxicity in mice, rats, rabbits or dogs. But 28-day data in rats and dogs have shown changes in a blood-clotting test, and raised liver enzymes, blood fats and blood sugar.
- Because it grows new blood vessels, it could in theory help feed a tumor. Active cancer is a reason to avoid it.
- There are no human safety data in pregnancy.
References
- Sikiric P, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2011.
- 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.
- Staresinic M, et al. Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. J Orthop Res. 2006.
- Hsieh MJ, et al. Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation. J Mol Med. 2017.
- Xu C, et al. Preclinical safety evaluation of body protective compound-157, a potential drug for treating various wounds. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2020.
This page is for education only. It is not medical advice. Decisions about any treatment belong with a physician who knows your history.