BPC-157
A synthetic 15-amino-acid sequence derived from a protein found in gastric juice. Studied extensively in rodent models of tendon, ligament and gut injury, with no completed human approval pathway.
| Total citations | 4 |
|---|---|
| Human clinical studies | 0 |
| Animal models | 0 |
| In vitro studies | 2 |
| Reviews / meta-analyses | 2 |
Mechanism of action
BPC-157 (sequence GEPPPGKPADDAGLV) is a partial sequence of the human gastric juice protein BPC. In rodent injury models it promotes angiogenesis and granulation tissue formation, with upregulation of VEGFR2 signalling and downstream endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity.
Work by Hsieh and colleagues in isolated rat aorta demonstrated concentration-dependent, endothelium-dependent vasodilation mediated by a Src → caveolin-1 → eNOS phosphorylation cascade, with reduced Cav-1/eNOS binding. In tendon explant culture it increases fibroblast outgrowth, cell survival and migration.
Peer-reviewed literature
Study type is tagged on every entry so animal and in-vitro findings are never mistaken for human clinical evidence.
Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Wound Healing
A review of the animal wound-healing literature, covering reported effects across skin, muscle, tendon, ligament and bone injury models.
The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration
In rat tendon explants and cultured fibroblasts, BPC-157 increased outgrowth, survival and migration; effects were linked to FAK-paxillin signalling.
Modulatory effects of BPC 157 on vasomotor tone and the activation of Src-Caveolin-1-endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway
Ex vivo rat aortic rings showed endothelium-dependent vasodilation via Src/caveolin-1/eNOS, offering a mechanistic account of the reported angiogenic effects.
Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review
A systematic review of the orthopaedic evidence base, noting the absence of human clinical trial data despite widespread non-clinical use.
Limitations & open questions
The great majority of the BPC-157 literature originates from a small number of collaborating research groups, and almost all of it is in rodents. Earlier human trials of the related agent PL 14736 in inflammatory bowel disease did not lead to any approval. There is no adequate, well-controlled human efficacy data for the indications most often discussed online.