What Is BPC-157?
BPC-157 is a peptide that is composed of 15 amino acids. It was first discovered in human gastric juice and has been found to have therapeutic effects, especially for gastrointestinal issues and wound healing. However, most of the research on BPC-157 so far has been limited to animal studies.
A Peptide With Promise
As a peptide, BPC-157 is smaller and simpler than a full protein. Peptides are chains of amino acids that are smaller than 50 amino acids, while proteins are typically longer chains that fold into complex 3D shapes.
BPC-157 was first described in a study in 1993 by researcher Predrag Sikiric and colleagues at the University of Zagreb in Croatia. Sikiric has published extensively on BPC-157 over the years and is considered the leading expert on this peptide.
The name BPC refers to “body protective compound” and the numbers indicate the sequence of amino acids that make up the peptide.
BPC-157 Research — Focus on GI and Wounds
Initial research focused on the protective effects of BPC-157 on the gastrointestinal system. Studies in rats have shown that BPC-157 can accelerate healing of GI ulcers and reduce inflammation in models of inflammatory bowel disease.
BPC-157 has also been found to enhance wound healing. Animal studies showed accelerated closure of wounds and stronger tensile strength of healed skin when treated with BPC-157 injections.
The mechanism behind these healing effects is not fully understood but may be related to BPC-157’s ability to stimulate growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
Extending Research Beyond GI — Tendons, Bones and More
As research continued, investigators started looking at whether BPC-157 could help heal other tissues as well. Rodent studies found positive effects on damaged tendons, ligaments, and bone.
One study severed Achilles tendons in rats and found that local injection of BPC-157 could lead to almost complete healing. The peptide appears to stimulate tendon-to-bone healing and improve the strength of the repaired tendon.
Similar benefits were seen in animal models for bone fractures, joint injuries, and crushed nerves.
How Is BPC-157 Administered?
In most of the animal studies, BPC-157 was dissolved in a liquid solution and injected directly into the injured or affected tissue area. However, some studies showed that injections placed away from the target area were also effective, suggesting that BPC-157 may have systemic effects throughout the body.
This is analogous to insulin for diabetes — injecting insulin into the belly allows the hormone to have effects in tissues all over the body.
First Human Research — Case Series on Knee Arthritis
To date there has been very limited testing of BPC-157 on humans. A case series from a clinic in Europe reported on results for 16 patients with knee osteoarthritis who were treated with intra-articular BPC-157 injections. Most of the patients reported decreased pain and improved function, but this was not a placebo-controlled trial.
Larger, more rigorous human studies are needed to truly evaluate the efficacy and safety of BPC-157. There are currently no clinical trials investigating BPC-157 registered on clinicaltrials.gov.
Gaining Popularity Despite Limited Evidence
Although the human evidence is very limited, BPC-157 has been gaining popularity, especially among athletes and bodybuilders looking to improve recovery and heal more quickly from injuries.
It has a reputation online for helping heal muscle tears, tendon problems, and ligament injuries. However, it’s important to note that rigorous clinical trials are still needed to prove these benefits in humans.
The peptide is also on the banned substances list of the World Anti-Doping Agency, so competitive athletes should avoid it until more testing is done.
BPC-157 — Potential Downsides and Risks
Despite the promise from animal studies, there are several downsides that need to be considered with BPC-157:
- Lack of rigorous human trials showing efficacy and safety
- Limited information on long-term effects
- Possibility of side effects like nausea and local irritation
- Legal issues due to lack of FDA approval and doping ban
More research is certainly needed to better characterize the upsides and downsides of this peptide.
Ongoing and Future Research Directions
Researchers continue to investigate BPC-157 in animal models covering an expanding range of health conditions — brain injuries, liver disease, heart damage, advanced aging and more.
Oneregistered clinical trial aims to study an oral formulation of BPC-157 on torn ligaments, suggesting a move towards human studies.
If future trials can replicate the promising results from rodents and definitively demonstrate both efficacy and safety, BPC-157 could emerge as therapy used in mainstream medicine.
Conclusion: Cautious Optimism for BPC-157
BPC-157 provides intriguing possibilities based on animal research showing accelerated healing of wounds, tendons, muscles, bones and other tissues. However, rigorous clinical trials in humans are still lacking.
For now, a cautious approach is warranted — more human data on efficacy, safety, side effects and long-term impacts are needed before conclusions can be made about the therapeutic potential of BPC-157. The future research path will be important to watch.
More on peptides in this guide (in Dutch)
