BPC 157 peptide, among others, has gained the attention of scientists in the medical field, for its healing potential. However, with the potential BPC 157 benefits comes potential side effects as well.
With the recent advancements in medical research, especially those focused on therapeutic approaches in injury management, researchers are finding peptides to have healing potential.
This article aims to provide a quick BPC 157 review and answers some frequently asked questions that may naturally arise in those who are curious about this peptide, as well as some info on where to buy BPC 157 peptide.
What Is BPC 157?
BPC 157 is a stable, synthetic gastric peptide that contains fifteen amino acids (aka a pentadecapeptide). BPC is short for Body Protection Compound – also frequently called Bepecin and PL10.
The peptide is a BPC portion that is separated from human gastric juice. It isn’t similar to any natural gastric peptides, which is why it’s synthetic. However, it has more stability than other peptides, and can endure the breakdown of gastric acid for a minimum of 24 hours.
BPC is one of the body’s natural elements, and has displayed an ability to boost healing in non-human animals during experiments. Aside from its intestinal repair activity, BPC appears to generate similar results in various other tissues.
Experiments using non-human subjects found that the healing mechanisms of BPC 157 are, to a degree, linked to the human growth hormone.
BPC-157 Research
Various studies conducted using animal subjects found that BPC 157 stimulates healing in injuries such as transected muscle and IBD [ref 1]. Another study conducted using rodents presented that a portion of the healing response is due to the increase in growth hormone receptor expression in the damaged tissues exposed to BPC peptides [ref 2].
Normal tissue healing involves a great number of growth factors to take place. Just a few of these growth factors include transforming GF beta, growth hormone, IGF, and platelet-derived GF.
Both the particular, damaged tissue and the extent of its damage determine the function that is taken on by each growth factor. For instance, growth hormone is highly active in connective tissue repair – tissues such as cartilage, bone, muscle, tendons and ligaments.
BPC 157 has presented the ability to boost collagen secretion, and collagen is a protein that functions as the foundation for a number of other connective tissues. By promoting GH recruitment to injured tissue, BPC-157 could speed up the recovery process.
BPC-157 and Fibroblast Activity
Fibroblasts are roaming cells present in the majority of connective tissues (bones, tendons, muscle, gastric mucosa, skin, etc.). When tissue is injured, fibroblasts rush to the damaged area to start the repair process. They may also split and multiply in an effort to have more fibroblasts available if necessary.
Research has also found that concentrations of BPC peptide directly impact fibroblast relocation; higher BPC levels meant more fibroblast relocation.
Studies in the past have shown that BPC manages the roles of collagen fragments by stimulating fibroblast function, which are responsible for the maintenance and deposition of collagen. Research has also revealed that BPC 157 has an impact on fibroblasts through its expression upregulation of the GH receptor gene. This basically means that Body Protection Compound 157 can manipulate DNA function.
Finally, besides being an attractant, there is evidence that Body Protection Compound 157 results in the significantly accelerated migration of fibroblasts, as opposed to without the peptide. In addition to their reactive migration, another major response is fibroblast reproduction (or outgrowth) in response to BPC 157, which is about 3x higher when exposed to Body Protection Compound [ref 1].
BPC 157 Benefits
Research shows BPC-157 may contain major healing properties in many different tissues such as bones, skeletal muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Current studies conducted on animal subjects propose that BPC-157 might impact numerous growth factors that are normally a part of blood vessel production (angiogenesis), as well as other factors involved in post-injury regeneration.
While prior studies on animal subjects have suggested that both BPC altogether and BPC, in particular, stimulate healing, recent animal studies are beginning to gain insight into exactly how they are able to do that.
In a nutshell, the BPC 157 peptide can be considered a promoter and modifier of the body’s natural healing system.
Tendon Healing
Unfortunately, the casual recovery of neither ligaments or tendons is great, because of the finite supply of blood overall. After cutting rodents’ Achilles tendon transversely, BPC enhanced healing, and soon after, the complete integrity of the tendon was restored [ref 3].
Similar effects were observed when exploring ligament injuries in rodents. BPC displayed an enhancement in healing 3 months after the surgical cut.
BPC 157 Dosage
The peptide was administered locally, once a day, by applying a small amount in the damaged area, and produced results after only thirty (30) minutes.
Improves Brain Healing
BPC-157 has also displayed a positive impact on edema, hemorrhage, and inflammation following traumatic brain damage and a number of serious brain pathologies resulting from liver/gastrointestinal lesions, or NSAID and insulin overdose.
Helps Heal Blood Vessel Damage
BPC-157 presented the strong potential for new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), while also guarding the endothelium, and both inhibiting and reversing the formation of blood clots following an anastomosis of the abdominal aorta. BPC functions using various vasoactive routes and results in the betterment of the recovery process.
More BPC 157 Peptide Benefits:
- Skin damage repair
- Muscle injury repair
- Bone healing
- Sciatic nerve healing
Side Effects
By far, studies haven’t really found any side effects, but we must not forget to consider that these studies were based on animal – not human – experiments.
The most common side effects that do exist, however, exist in two forms – at the injection site, and from the substance itself.
The most common BPC side effects found in research studies are those involved with the digestive system, and are usually intermittent and mild:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Bowel movement changes
- Gas
- Bloating
Other than those, below are some other common BPC side effects:
- Fatigue
- Fluctuations in weight and appetite
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Hot/Cold flashes
Where to Buy BPC 157
Researchers can find BPC-157 for sale online, but it’s best to use a trusted source. You can buy BPC 157 peptide for research by visiting Core Peptides.
References:
- T. Cerovecki, I. B., et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat, Orthopaedic Research Society, Pub. Wiley Periodicals, 2010.
- C.H. Chang, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 enhances the growth hormone receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts, Mol. Basel Switzerland, 2014.
- Gwyer, D., et al. Gastric pentadecapeptide body protection compound BPC 157 and its role in accelerating musculoskeletal soft tissue healing. Journal contribution, 2019.
NOTE: The information found on this website and within this article is intended for educational or informational purposes only. Some or all of the content in these articles are not substantiated by a medical professional and may be based on the opinions of the writer who may not be a medical or accredited professional. Not intended for personal use. Please review our Terms and Conditions.
Dr. Marinov (MD, Ph.D.) is a researcher and chief assistant professor in Preventative Medicine & Public Health. Prior to his professorship, Dr. Marinov practiced preventative, evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on Nutrition and Dietetics. He is widely published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and specializes in peptide therapy research.