History
BPC-157 which stands for Body Protection Compound 157, partial sequence that is discovered and isolated from human gastric juice. This peptide first came around in the year 1992 in science literature in article written by a scientist known as PredragSikiric. In 90’s there was huge amount of research is done on peptides. As the technology improved, the search was even more deeply done to tackle the long issues of health in many humans.
Chemical Structure
Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 is a peptide composed of 15 amino acids fragment (Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val) .a sequence of amino acids with a molecular formula having 62 carbons, 98 hydrogens atoms, 16 nitrogen and 22 oxygen atoms. 1
BPC-157 functions by triggering the formation of new blood vessels by a process known as angiogenesis. Such an activity promotes the healing and induces regeneration of cells at faster rate. It also functions by preventing or blocking the growth-inhibiting effects of a molecule named as 4-hydroxynonenal.2
Scientific Research on BPC-157
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The newly discovered coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused a large outbreak around the globe. It has been observed that the virus is causing thrombotic and vascular disease causing damage to the endothelial cells of whole body which can result in the breakdown of the central vascular systems. These complications have resulted in multi organ failure in Covid-19 patients. Scientists started research on BPC-157 peptide for the management of Covid-19. This peptide has demonstrated cytoprotective, and endothelial-protective effects, anti-inflammatory indifferent organ systems in different species. It has been observed that the BPC-157 activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) which is associated with nitric oxide (NO) release, repairing tissue and angiomodulatory properties which has resulted in improved vascular integrity and immune system response. reduced proinflammatory profile, and lowered critical levels of the disease. All examined treatments are potentiality effective against Covid-19, need either appropriate drug development or clinical trials in humans to be suitable for clinical use.3
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Another study is done to check the healing of many different type of wounds, including the transected rat Achilles tendon. This study was done to investigate the mechanism of BPC 157 to increase the healing of injured tendon. The outgrowth of the tendon fibroblasts cells from tendon explants cultured with or without BPC 157 peptide was examined. Results showed that the BPC 157 significantly accelerated the tendon explants outgrowth. BPC-157 is involved in remote tendon and ligament healing and has been used to promote muscle and tendon healing, prevent gastric ulcers, and increase collagen production. 4
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(Sikiric P et al., 2013) focused on BPC 157 beneficial effects on duodenum, stomach, liver, intestine and injuries in brain, pain, the adjuvant arthritis, hyper or hypothermia, the obstructive thrombus formation and thrombolysis, function of blood vessels, prolonged bleeding and thrombocytopenia after applying different anti-platelet and anticoagulant agents and improvement of wound healing. The arguments for the antidote activity for the BPC 157 which is the role of BPC 157 in cytoprotection, being the mediator of Robert’s cytoprotection and BPC 157 positive effects on NSAIDs mediated lesions in the GIT tract, liver and brain and lastly counteraction prolonged bleeding induced by aspirin and thrombocytopenia) obviously have an effect on several established side effects of NSAIDs use. The mentioned variety of the positive effects by BPC 157 can be the foundation for establishing BPC 157 as a NSAIDs antidote as no other agent has given a similar kind of effects. Unlike NSAIDs, a very high safety with no reported toxicity is reported for BPC 157.It also Counter the damaging effects of some NSAIDs like ibuprofen or advil .5
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It repairs the damage from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) within just days of oral administration in a rodent model of IBD. It helps in improvement of stomach and intestinal conditions such as inflamed intestinal epithelium (leaky gut), eosinophilic esophagitis, and inflammatory bowel disease; however, its abilities to improve type 1 collagen and increase blood flow via angiogenesis means it is a powerful peptide for wound healing and overall regeneration following damage. 6
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(Keremi et al., 2009) have preformed the experiment and administered BPC 157 in a rodent model of periodontitis abd concluded that “BPC 157 may represent a new peptide for the treatment of periodontal disease 7
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Accelerate bone healing in rabbits who suffered segmental bone defect before being treated with BPC-157.9
Applications of BPC-157
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BPC-157 helps in joint pain or having old injuries and helps those people looking to improve joint movements.
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It has anti-inflammatory property
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It possesses neuro protective properties especially modulating the serotonergic and dopaminergic systems
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It helps in promotion of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis
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It helps in acceleration of wound healing like muscle, ligament, tendon or nerve
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This peptide promotes cell survival under stress
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Helps the gastrointestinal mucosal integrity
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It prevents gastric ulcers
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Also improves the digestive function (IBS)
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It is used in Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
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Helps to protects the liver from toxic like alcohol, antibiotics, etc and promotes healing process.
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It repairs the tissue like GIT, tendons, ligaments, brain and bone, etc
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It is effective treatment for the Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
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Also protects and heals the inflamed intestinal epithelium (Leaky Gut Syndrome)
Mode of Administration
BPC-157 comes in two different forms for administration: oral capsules and the injectable form. As oral capsule, BPC-157 is considered best suited for restoration of gut restoration and intestinal problems. On the other hand, BPC 157 injectable is the preferred for the inflammation, muscle sprains, damage of ligaments and pain.
References:
1Gwyer, D., Wragg, N.M. & Wilson, S.L. Gastric pentadecapeptide body protection compound BPC 157 and its role in accelerating musculoskeletal soft tissue healing. Cell Tissue Res 377, 153–159 (2019).
2Chang CH, Tsai WC, Lin MS, Hsu YH, Pang JH. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. J ApplPhysiol (1985). 2011 Mar;110(3):774-80. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010. Epub 2010 Oct 28. PMID: 21030672.
3Deek S. A. (2021). BPC 157 as Potential Treatment for COVID-19. Medical hypotheses, 158, 110736. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2021.110736
4Chang CH, Tsai WC, Lin MS, Hsu YH, Pang JH. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. J ApplPhysiol (1985). 2011 Mar;110(3):774-80. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00945.2010. Epub 2010 Oct 28. PMID: 21030672.
5Sikiric P, Seiwerth S, Rucman R, Turkovic B, Rokotov DS, Brcic L, Sever M, Klicek R, Radic B, Drmic D, Ilic S, Kolenc D, Aralica G, Safic H, Suran J, Rak D, Dzidic S, Vrcic H, Sebecic B. Toxicity by NSAIDs. Counteraction by stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. Curr Pharm Des. 2013;19(1):76-83. doi: 10.2174/13816128130111. PMID: 22950504.)
6 Vuksic T, Zoricic I, Brcic L, Sever M, Klicek R, Radic B, Cesarec V, Berkopic L, Keller N, Blagaic AB, Kokic N, Jelic I, Geber J, Anic T, Seiwerth S, Sikiric P. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in trials for inflammatory bowel disease (PL-10, PLD-116, PL14736, Pliva, Croatia) heals ileoileal anastomosis in the rat. Surg Today. 2007;37(9):768-77. doi: 10.1007/s00595-006-3498-9. Epub 2007 Aug 27. PMID: 17713731
7 Keremi B, Lohinai Z, Komora P, Duhaj S, Borsi K, Jobbagy-Ovari G, Kallo K, Szekely AD, Fazekas A, Dobo-Nagy C, Sikiric P, Varga G. Antiinflammatory effect of BPC 157 on experimental periodontitis in rats. J PhysiolPharmacol. 2009 Dec;60Suppl 7:115-22. PMID: 20388954
8Nahum Mendez-Sanchez, Shreya C. Pal Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico DOI: 10.12659/MSM.937371 Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937371
9 Sebecić B, Nikolić V, Sikirić P, Seiwerth S, Sosa T, Patrlj L, Grabarević Z, Rucman R, Petek M, Konjevoda P, Jadrijević S, Perović D, Slaj M. Osteogenic effect of a gastric pentadecapeptide, BPC-157, on the healing of segmental bone defect in rabbits: a comparison with bone marrow and autologous cortical bone implantation. Bone. 1999 Mar;24(3):195-202. doi: 10.1016/s8756-3282(98)00180-x. PMID: 10071911.