| Sequence | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val |
| Formula | C62H98N16O22 |
| Molar Mass | 1419.5 Da |
| Category | Body Protection Compound / Repair Peptide |
| Half-life | < 30 minutes (systemic) |
| Admin | Subcutaneous, Oral |
| FDA Status | Category 2 (Banned for compounding) |
| CAS | 137525-51-0 |
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BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic 15-amino acid peptide derived from a protective protein found naturally in human gastric juice. It is widely used off-label for accelerating the healing of soft tissue injuries (tendons, ligaments, muscle) and treating gastrointestinal disorders, though human clinical evidence remains limited compared to extensive animal data.
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Aliases
Key points
What people use it for
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⚠️ CRITICAL INFORMATION
Regulatory classification
Sports and competition
Source quality considerations
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Definition
BPC-157 is a partial sequence (fragment) of a larger protein called "Body Protection Compound" (BPC) that was originally isolated from human gastric juice. It is a synthetic pentadecapeptide consisting of 15 amino acids.
Mechanism vs. Endogenous BPC
Native BPC acts as a cytoprotective factor in the stomach, helping to maintain the integrity of the stomach lining against acid and digestive enzymes. BPC-157 retains these protective properties but appears to be stable in gastric juice (unlike many peptides) and exerts systemic healing effects when administered therapeutically.
Key pharmacological property
BPC-157 is primarily an angiogenic modulator. It stimulates the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) by upregulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and modulating nitric oxide (NO) pathways. This increased blood supply is critical for healing relatively avascular tissues like tendons and ligaments.
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| Outcome / Goal | Effect | Evidence Strength | Source | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulcerative Colitis | ↓ Inflammation | Moderate | Human (Phase II) | Small trials indicated improvement; data not fully published. |
| Knee Pain | ↓ Pain | Low | Human (Retrospective) | Case series showed pain relief in chronic knee issues[1:1]. |
| Tendon Healing | ↑↑ Healing Speed | High (Animal) | Rat Models | Consistently restores tensile strength in Achilles/MCL injuries. |
| Muscle Repair | ↑ Regeneration | High (Animal) | Rat Models | Systemic effect on muscle fiber regeneration after crush injury. |
| Fistula Healing | ↑ Closure | High (Animal) | Rat Models | Successfully closed complex GI fistulas where other agents failed. |
| NSAID Ulcers | ↓ Damage | High (Animal) | Rat Models | Potent protection against aspirin/ibuprofen-induced gut damage. |
Note: "High (Animal)" implies strong consistency in preclinical models, not clinical validation in humans.
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BPC-157 operates through several distinct but complementary pathways focused on cellular survival and tissue regeneration.
The primary driver of BPC-157's healing capability is its ability to stimulate VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) and its receptor VEGFR2. This triggers the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), bringing oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues that typically have poor blood supply, such as tendons and ligaments[6].
BPC-157 interacts with the nitric oxide system in a unique "balancing" manner. It stimulates eNOS (endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase) to produce nitric oxide for vasodilation but can also counteract the effects of excessive NO. This dual action helps maintain optimal blood flow without causing oxidative stress[7].
It activates Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and paxillin, proteins essential for cell migration. This allows fibroblasts (the cells that build tissue structural framework) to move efficiently to the site of an injury and begin laying down new collagen[8].
BPC-157 upregulates EGR-1 (Early Growth Response 1) and its repressor NAB2. EGR-1 is a "master switch" gene that triggers the early wound healing response, while NAB2 ensures this response doesn't spiral out of control, preventing excessive scar tissue formation[9].
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Most injectable BPC-157 comes as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) white powder.
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Note: There is no FDA-approved dose. The following are derived from scientific literature and common research protocols.
Some user protocols suggest a higher dose (e.g., 750–1000 mcg/day) for the first week ("loading phase") followed by a maintenance dose of 250 mcg/day, though there is no clinical evidence supporting the necessity of loading.
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In the limited human studies available, BPC-157 has been described as well-tolerated.
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This is the most common peptide combination for injury recovery.
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Lee E, Padgett B. Intra-Articular Injection of BPC 157 for Multiple Types of Knee Pain. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. 2021. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34324435/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Pinnacle Peptides. BPC-157 Clinical Trials and Research. 2024. https://pinnaclepeptides.com/bpc-157-clinical-trials ↩︎
Grgic T, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 heals rat colovesical fistula. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.02.038 ↩︎
Gjurasin M, et al. Peptide therapy with pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in traumatic nerve injury. Regulatory Peptides. 2010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.regpep.2009.11.005 ↩︎
Perovic D, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury and lead to functional recovery in rats. Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-019-1242-6 ↩︎
Hsieh MJ, et al. Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation. Journal of Molecular Medicine. 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-016-1488-y ↩︎
Sikiric P, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 2011. https://doi.org/10.2174/138161211796196970 ↩︎
Chang CH, et al. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. Journal of Applied Physiology. 2011. https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010 ↩︎
Sikiric P, et al. Focus on Ulcerative Colitis: Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157. Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2012. https://doi.org/10.2174/092986712803833272 ↩︎
Diagen. Stability of BPC-157 Arginate vs Acetate Salts in Gastric Juice. International Journal of Pharmaceutics. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119273 ↩︎
Huberman Lab. Peptides: BPC-157, Angiogenesis & Tumor Risk. 2024. https://www.hubermanlab.com ↩︎
Peptide Science Reports. Evaluation of Synergistic Effects of TB-500 and BPC-157 in Regenerative Medicine. 2025. ↩︎