BPC-157

What Is BPC-157?

BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid pentadecapeptide derived from a protective sequence found in human gastric juice (Body Protection Compound). Its primary documented mechanism is angiogenic: it upregulates VEGFR2 and drives new capillary formation into damaged tissue, which is why animal models with a healing endpoint (tendon transection, ligament tear, gastric ulcer, anastomosis, bone defect) consistently show accelerated repair.

Secondary mechanisms include modulation of the nitric oxide system, where BPC-157 interacts with both NO synthase and the NO-pathway counter-regulation, allowing it to protect against ischaemia and against reperfusion injury in the same models. It also upregulates growth hormone receptor expression on fibroblasts, the proposed basis for its interaction with the GH axis in tendon repair, and stabilises dopamine and serotonin signalling in stress-injury models. The gastrointestinal effects, the original research target, appear to be mediated through enteric vascular recovery and restoration of tight-junction integrity. Almost all of the efficacy literature is from the Sikiric group in Zagreb using rat models; published human exposure remains small.