BPC-157
Synthetic 15-amino acid peptide derived from human gastric juice with remarkable tissue-healing, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties across multiple organ systems.
Length 15 aa MW ~1419.5 Da CAS 137525-51-0โก Executive Summary
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a research peptide known for accelerating repair of muscles, tendons, bones, and gut ulcers. It works by promoting angiogenesis, boosting growth factors, and reducing inflammation. In animal studies, it shows remarkable healing without significant side effects. Not FDA-approved โ remains experimental and is banned in sports by WADA.
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01 Overview 02 Properties 03 Mechanism 04 Benefits 05 Dosage 06 vs TB-500 ๐Overview
๐งฌ What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino acid peptide first derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice.
It acts as a broad-spectrum cytoprotective and pro-angiogenic agent, orchestrating multiple healing pathways simultaneously.
๐ฏ Key Actions
- ๐ฉธ Angiogenesis โ promotes new blood vessel growth
- ๐ Growth factors โ upregulates VEGF, ERK, AKT
- ๐ฅ Anti-inflammatory โ reduces IL-6, TNF-ฮฑ, COX-2
Research only: BPC-157 is not FDA-approved and is banned in competitive sports by WADA. All evidence is from animal studies โ human clinical trials are lacking.
๐ฌEntity Properties
| Aliases | BPC-157, Body Protection Compound-157, PL-14736, Bepecin |
|---|---|
| Sequence | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val |
| Length | 15 amino acids |
| Molecular Weight | ~1419.5 Da |
| CAS Number | 137525-51-0 |
| Family | Gastric pentadecapeptide, cytoprotective peptide |
| Diluent(s) | Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol) or sterile saline |
| Concentration | 5 mg + 2 mL = ~2.5 mg/mL; 10 mg + 2 mL = ~5 mg/mL |
| Storage (dry) | 2โ8ยฐC refrigerated; stable for months |
| Storage (solution) | 2โ8ยฐC; use within 4โ6 weeks; avoid freeze-thaw |
Mechanism of Action
๐ง How does BPC-157 work?
BPC-157 works by activating multiple healing pathways simultaneously โ a “broad-spectrum” repair peptide. It promotes blood vessel formation (VEGFโ), triggers cell survival pathways (ERK1/2, AKT), and boosts growth hormone receptor expression in tendon cells.
It also increases nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity for improved blood flow and quenches inflammation by lowering IL-6, TNF-ฮฑ, COX-2, and myeloperoxidase.
๐ฉธ Angiogenesis
Increases VEGF โ new blood vessels โ enhanced nutrient delivery to injured tissues
๐ Growth Signals
Upregulates ERK1/2, AKT, and growth hormone receptor โ cell proliferation & migration
๐ฅ Anti-Inflammatory
Reduces IL-6, TNF-ฮฑ, COX-2, myeloperoxidase โ less swelling and pain
๐กMulti-modal action: BPC-157 protects cells from stress, stimulates growth factors, opens blood vessels, and dials down inflammation โ explaining why it benefits diverse injury types from tendons to gut ulcers.
โจResearch Benefits
๐ญ Preclinical Findings (Animal Studies)
๐ฆดTendon & Ligament
Accelerated Achilles tendon repair; stronger fiber alignment; restored joint stability in ligament injuries
๐ชMuscle Regeneration
Faster muscle fiber regeneration; larger fibers, less atrophy; quicker return of strength
๐ฆดBone & Joint
Supported bone healing; as effective as bone grafts in non-union fracture models
๐ซGI Protection
Potent anti-ulcer effects; faster ulcer healing; protection against NSAID-induced gut injury
๐งNeuroprotection
Reduced brain damage in stroke/trauma models; modulates serotonin/dopamine pathways
โSafety Profile
No significant toxicity at wide dose ranges; no organ damage in animal studies
โ ๏ธImportant: All benefits are from animal studies. Human outcomes may differ. No large-scale clinical trials have been completed. A Phase 1 trial is testing oral BPC-157 for ulcerative colitis.
๐Dosage & Administration
๐Research use only. No official human dose guidelines exist. The following is educational based on animal data and common research protocols.
๐ Dosing Reference
| Typical Dose | 200โ500 ยตg per injection |
|---|---|
| Starting Dose | ~250โ300 ยตg once daily (beginners) |
| Route | Subcutaneous injection (subQ) |
| Frequency | Once or twice daily |
| Cycle Length | 2โ4 weeks typical; up to 6 weeks |
| Half-life | ~30 minutes (short) |
Gather Supplies
BPC-157 vial, bacteriostatic water, insulin syringes, alcohol swabs
2Reconstitute
Add 2 mL bac water to 5 mg vial = 2.5 mg/mL. Swirl gently, don’t shake
3Calculate Dose
250 ยตg = 0.1 mL (10 units) at 2.5 mg/mL concentration
4Inject SubQ
Clean site with alcohol; inject into belly fat or near injury at 45ยฐ angle
5Store Solution
Refrigerate at 2โ8ยฐC; use within 4โ6 weeks
6Rotate Sites
Alternate injection sites daily to avoid irritation
โ๏ธBPC-157 vs TB-500
Both peptides accelerate healing but work through different mechanisms. They are often used together for complementary effects.
BPC-157
Gastric protein fragment (15 aa) ๐ซ Gut + ๐ฆด Tendon SpecialistCytoprotective + anti-inflammatory. Promotes angiogenesis, nitric oxide, growth factors. Short half-life (~30 min) โ daily dosing. Best for gut healing, tendon/ligament repair, localized injuries.
TB-500
Thymus peptide (43 aa / fragments) ๐ช Wound + ๐ซ Cardiac SpecialistCell migration + wound healing. Strong angiogenesis, collagen deposition. Longer half-life โ less frequent dosing (1-2x/week). Best for skin wounds, muscle tears, cardiac repair.
๐กSynergy: BPC-157 + TB-500 is a common combination โ BPC handles inflammation and protection while TB-500 drives cell migration and regeneration. Neither is FDA-approved; both are banned in sports.
โFAQ
What is BPC-157? A synthetic 15-amino acid peptide derived from human gastric juice, known for accelerating tissue healing, reducing inflammation, and protecting multiple organ systems. Is BPC-157 FDA approved? No. BPC-157 is not approved for any medical indication. It’s sold as a research chemical and is banned in competitive sports by WADA. How is it administered? Most commonly via subcutaneous injection (belly fat or near injury). It can also be taken orally (stable in stomach acid) but injection is more reliable for systemic effects. What are the side effects? Animal studies show no significant toxicity even at high doses. Anecdotal reports include mild headaches or injection site reactions. Long-term human effects are unknown. Does it cause cancer? No study has shown BPC-157 causing cancer. However, because it promotes angiogenesis, those with active malignancies should avoid it. It tested negative for mutagenicity. How long until results? Many report noticeable improvements (pain reduction, mobility) within 1โ2 weeks. Full healing benefits typically require 2โ4 weeks of consistent use. โBottom line: BPC-157 is a promising research peptide with remarkable healing properties across tendons, muscles, bones, and gut in animal studies. Its multi-modal mechanism (angiogenesis + anti-inflammation + growth factors) explains its broad benefits. However, it remains experimental with no FDA approval โ use cautiously and for research purposes only.