BPC-157
Body Protection Compound-157 · Pentadecapeptide
Synthetic peptide derived from gastric juice protein, renowned for tissue repair, inflammation reduction, and GI protection capabilities. BPC-157 promotes blood vessel formation, enhances collagen synthesis, modulates growth factor expression, and protects against tissue damage through localized or systemic delivery.
Overview
BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide based on a sequence found in a protective protein in human gastric juice. It has been studied extensively in animal models for tissue repair, tendon and muscle healing, and gut protection, and is notable for stability in gastric acid. The evidence base is almost entirely preclinical: there are no completed human clinical trials, so all figures here are reported from animal or laboratory research, not clinical practice.
Across preclinical studies, BPC-157 is associated with promotion of angiogenesis (new blood-vessel formation), modulation of the nitric oxide system, upregulation of growth factors involved in repair (e.g., VEGF), and effects on cell-migration pathways. These mechanisms are described in published reviews; they are reported findings from animal and in-vitro work, not demonstrated clinical effects in humans.
Research indications
What the compound has been studied for, grouped by body system. Effect size is the reported magnitude where it was measured — not a recommendation.
Accelerated tendon-to-bone healing with improved biomechanical properties; most effective with localized injection.
Enhanced healing and reduced recovery following crush injuries and surgical procedures with direct tissue targeting.
Promotes blood vessel formation and improves vascularization through localized delivery.
Protective effects against neurotoxic agents and ischemic brain injury models.
Improved functional recovery and reduced tissue damage in spinal cord injury studies.
Enhanced peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery after injury.
Protective effects against gastric and duodenal ulcers through cytoprotective mechanisms.
Acceleration of intestinal healing with reduced inflammatory markers in IBD models.
Enhanced mucosal barrier function and accelerated epithelial regeneration.
A large effect in a weak study and a small effect in a strong one are different things. Effect size is never evidence of use in people.
- Class
- Pentadecapeptide
- Chain length
- 15 residues
- Molecular weight
- 1419.53 Da
- Half-life
- ~30 min
- Typical dose
- 250-500mcg
- Frequency
- Once or twice daily
- Administration
- Subcutaneous injection
- Cycle length
- 4-12 weeks depending on injury
- Storage
- Lyophilized: freezer long-term. Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 4-6 weeks
Molecular data
- Type
- Pentadecapeptide
- Molecular weight
- 1419.53 Da
- Chain length
- 15 residues
- CAS number
- 137525-51-0
- Half-life
- 30 min
GEPPPGKPADDAGLVDosing reference
Doses reported in the literature and by suppliers. These are a record of what has been used in research — reference, never instruction.
| Context | Route | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tendon/Joint healing | SubQ near injury | 250-500 mcg | 1-2x daily |
| Serious injury | SubQ near injury | 500-1000 mcg | 2x daily |
| General healing | SubQ or IM | 250-500 mcg | 1-2x daily |
| Maintenance | SubQ | 250 mcg | 1x daily |
| Gastric protection | Oral (empty stomach) | 500 mcg - 1 mg | 1-2x daily |
| General healing | Oral (empty stomach) | 1-2 mg | 1-2x daily |
| Ulcer prevention | Oral (empty stomach) | 500 mcg | 2x daily |
| Maintenance | Oral (empty stomach) | 500 mcg | 1x daily |
Interactions
Complementary healing mechanisms; often used together in the Wolverine Stack.
No known negative interactions.
BPC-157 increases GH receptor expression, amplifying growth hormone benefits.
BPC-157 upregulates GH receptors, enhancing effectiveness for tissue repair.
No known interactions; different mechanisms and receptor targets.
Safe combination; different pathways. Often combined in regenerative protocols.
Quality checklist
- ✓White, fluffy lyophilized powder (cake) filling vial bottom
- ✓Crystal clear solution after reconstitution with no particles
- ✓Intact vacuum seal on vial
- !Slight clumping that dissolves with gentle swirling (acceptable from shipping)
- ×Collapsed, melted, or powder stuck to vial sides (heat exposure)
- ×Cloudy solution, particles, or precipitates after reconstitution
- ×Discoloration of powder
What to expect
Safety
- Mild injection site redness
- Injection site irritation
- Possible mild digestive adjustment (oral)
- Persistent injection site reactions or infection signs
- Unusual swelling or rash around injection area
- Severe headaches or dizziness
- Allergic reactions
- Persistent or worsening digestive issues
- Active cancer (due to angiogenic effects)
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Blood thinners (consult doctor due to angiogenesis)
- WADA prohibited for competitive athletes
FAQ
Should I inject BPC-157 near the injury site or take it systemically?
Localized injection near the injury site is most effective for direct tissue targeting and healing. However, BPC-157 has systemic effects, so oral administration (on empty stomach) or distant SubQ injection provides whole-body benefits. For serious tendon/joint injuries, localized injection + oral combination protocol maximizes effects.
Can I use BPC-157 with NSAIDs like ibuprofen?
BPC-157 rescued NSAID-cytotoxicity by stabilizing intestinal permeability and protecting mucosal barrier function in research. This suggests potential synergy—BPC-157 may mitigate NSAID side effects while NSAIDs reduce acute inflammation. However, clinical data on combination timing and dosing doesn't exist.
How long can I use BPC-157 or does it require cycling?
BPC-157 is typically used for 4-12 weeks depending on injury severity. Its short half-life (<30 minutes) and safety profile in preclinical studies suggest longer use is likely safe, but formal long-term human data doesn't exist. Cycling 1-2 weeks on/off may prevent adaptation, though continuous use hasn't shown problems.
Why must I avoid BPC-157 if I have cancer or am on blood thinners?
BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), which theoretically could support tumor blood supply. For cancer patients, this creates potential risk despite no direct clinical data. Blood thinners combined with pro-angiogenic effects increase bleeding risk, warranting medical supervision before use.
References
- 1Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 accelerates healing of transected rat Achilles tendon and in vitro stimulates tendocytes growthStaresinic, M., et al. · Journal of Orthopaedic Research · 2003
Superior tendon healing with improved biomechanical properties (increased load of failure and Young's modulus), enhanced tendon-to-bone integration, and stimulated tendocyte growth in rat models.
in-vitroPubMed 14554208 ↗ - 2Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157Staresinic, M., et al. · Journal of Orthopaedic Research · 2006
Accelerated quadriceps healing over 72-day period with improved biomechanics, walking recovery, muscle fiber regeneration with desmin positivity, and attenuated atrophy in rat models.
animalPubMed 16609979 ↗ - 3The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healingChang CH, Tsai WC, Lin MS · Journal of Applied Physiology · 2011
Tendon outgrowth, cell survival and migration via BPC-157.
reviewPubMed 21030672 ↗ - 4Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulationHsieh, M.J., et al. · Journal of Molecular Medicine · 2017
Pro-angiogenic effects via VEGFR2-Akt-eNOS signaling pathway activation, increased vessel density in vivo and in vitro, and accelerated blood flow recovery in ischemic rat hind limb model.
in-vitroPubMed 27847966 ↗ - 5Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury and lead to functional recovery in ratsPerovic, D., et al. · Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · 2019
Significant functional recovery with improved motor function, resolved spasticity by day 15, and counteracted axonal necrosis, demyelination, and cyst formation across all stages of secondary injury.
animalPubMed 31266512 ↗ - 6BPC 157 Rescued NSAID-cytotoxicity Via Stabilizing Intestinal Permeability and Enhancing CytoprotectionPark, J.M., Lee, H.J., Sikiric, P., Hahm, K.B. · Current Pharmaceutical Design · 2020
Cytoprotective effects against NSAID-induced gastric and intestinal damage by stabilizing intestinal permeability and protecting mucosal barrier function across multiple epithelia.
reviewPubMed 32445447 ↗ - 7Preclinical safety evaluation of body protective compound-157, a potential drug for treating various woundsXu, C., et al. · Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology · 2020
Well tolerated in mice, rats, rabbits, and dogs with no serious toxicity in single-dose, repeated-dose, local tolerance, genetic, or embryo-fetal toxicity studies.
animalPubMed 32334036 ↗ - 8Effect of BPC-157 on Symptoms in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis: A Pilot StudyLee, E., Walker, C., Ayadi, B. · Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine · 2024
Pilot human trial in 12 women (ages 39-76) with interstitial cystitis showed BPC-157 as a potential treatment for this disabling condition with no effective existing therapies.
human-pilotPubMed 39325560 ↗ - 9Safety of Intravenous Infusion of BPC157 in Humans: A Pilot StudyLee, E., Burgess, K. · Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine · 2025
First human IV safety data: infusions of up to 20 mg BPC-157 in 2 healthy adults showed no adverse effects on cardiac, hepatic, renal, thyroid, or glucose biomarkers.
human-pilotPubMed 40131143 ↗