Bpc 157
BPC-157, short for Body Protection Compound-157, is a derivative of body protection compound (BPC). BPC is a protein found naturally in the human digestive tract. It plays a significant role in protecting the lining of the gastrointestinal tract from damage, promoting healing, and encouraging blood vessel growth.
Synthetic BPC-157, a pentadecapeptide comprising 15 amino acids isolated from the much larger BPC protein, has been found to retain many of the healing properties of its parent molecule. In particular, Bpc-157 has been shown to have effects on:
- Wound healing
- Blood vessel growth
- The coagulation cascade
- Nitric oxide generation
- Immune system function
- Gene expression
- Hormone regulation (particularly in the gastrointestinal nervous system)
Bpc 157 Peptide
Sequence: Gly- Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val
Molecular Formula: C62H98N15O22
Molecular Weight: 1419.556 g/mol
PubChem CID: 108101
Bpc 157 Peptide Effects
Bpc 157 and Wound Healing
The natural function of BPC in the GI tract is to maintain the integrity of the mucosal barrier that protects underlying tissues from the harmful actions of gastric acid, bile, and other compounds necessary for digestion and absorption of nutrients from food. At least part of this function is mediated through the recruitment of fibroblasts. BPC-157 has a dose-dependent effect on the spread of fibroblasts in culture and in vivo, causing the cells to both proliferate and migrate faster[1]. Fibroblasts are integral to wound healing as they are the cells responsible for laying down extracellular matrix proteins like collagen, fibrin, elastin, and more.
Vascular Growth and Collateralization
BPC-157 is a potent angiogenic factor, increasing the rate at which endothelial cells (the cells that line blood vessels) proliferate and grow. Research in rats shows that the peptide substantially increases the rate of collateral blood vessel growth in the setting of ischemia. While this effect has been primarily observed in the GI tract, there is evidence for similar benefit in cardiovascular, neurological, and muscle tissues, suggesting that BPC-157 may be used as both a therapy in the setting of stroke and heart attack as well as a probative peptide for understanding how to promote healing following ischemic injury. Studies in chicken embryos suggest that at least part of the mechanism by which BPC-157 promotes vascular growth is through the stimulation of VEGFR2, a cell surface receptor active in the nitric oxide signaling pathway. VEGFR2 is thought to play an important role in endothelial cell growth, proliferation, and longevity.
BPC-157 concentration versus vascular endothelial cell growth
Cell culture research has effectively demonstrated vascular “running” secondary to BPC-157 administration. Vascular running is the process by which vessels grow toward an area of injury or around an area of vascular occlusion to reestablish blood flow to distal tissue and protect cell function. This particular function of BPC-157 may make it possible to develop an effective oral treatment for slow-growing arterial occlusions, such as are seen in atherosclerotic heart disease. This area of research may one day render unnecessary surgical interventions such as stenting, coronary artery bypass grafting, and more.
