BPC-157

From Retapedia, the free peptide encyclopedia
Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is used to heal faster after injury to tendons, ligaments, muscle, and the gut lining, and to calm inflammation. Only three small pilot studies exist, so the benefit is still unproven.
How it works
A laboratory copy of a 15-part protein fragment found in stomach juice, taken by injection under the skin or by mouth. It is thought to help grow new blood vessels into damaged tissue and to lower inflammation signals.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a peptide studied for its effects on healing, recovery, and tissue repair. Synthetic gastric-juice peptide for tissue repair, gut healing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Strong animal evidence, limited human trials; not FDA-approved.

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic 15-amino acid pentadecapeptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. It works by promoting angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), enhancing growth hormone receptor expression, and reducing inflammatory cytokines. Primarily researched for accelerating tissue repair, wound healing, gut health, and musculoskeletal injury recovery.

Natty status
BPC-157 is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 Frequently asked questions
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 External links

Overview

BPC-157 has shown robust regenerative and cytoprotective effects in preclinical animal studies, particularly for tendon, ligament, muscle injuries, and gastrointestinal disorders.

However, human clinical evidence remains extremely limited with only three small pilot studies conducted to date.

It is not FDA-approved for therapeutic use and is classified as a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

While generally well-tolerated in animal studies, quality control concerns exist as it remains an unregulated compound.

BPC-157 is considered investigational and requires more comprehensive human clinical trials to establish safety, efficacy, and proper clinical applications.

Mechanism of action

Speeds healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and gut lining. Promotes new blood vessel growth and reduces inflammation. Evidence is almost entirely from animal studies.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • Improved functional, structural, and biomechanical outcomes in preclinical models of muscle, tendon, ligament, and bone injury, and accelerated fibroblast outgrowth, survival under oxidative stress, and migration in rat Achilles tendon explants and cultures. [6][2] Preclinical
  • Promoted angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, and neuromuscular stabilization in animal models by activating VEGFR2 and the Akt-eNOS nitric oxide axis, particularly in poorly vascularized tissue such as tendon and the myotendinous junction. [1] Preclinical
  • In rodent ischemia-reperfusion injury models, administration was associated with attenuated oxidative injury and reduced inflammatory and apoptotic markers. [5] Preclinical
  • Produced concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated human internal mammary artery rings, mediated mainly through an endothelium-dependent nitric oxide pathway. [4] Preclinical
  • In a retrospective study of unspecified chronic knee pain, 7 of 12 patients reported relief lasting more than six months after intra-articular injection. [6] Anecdotal
  • Intravenous infusion of up to 20 mg in two healthy adults was tolerated with no measurable effects on cardiac, hepatic, renal, thyroid, or blood glucose biomarkers and no reported side effects. [3] Anecdotal

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Subcutaneous

  • Beginner: 200-250mcg daily, split into 2 doses (100-125mcg each, 12 hours apart)
  • Intermediate: 300-400mcg daily, split into 2 doses (150-200mcg each, 12 hours apart)
  • Acute injury: 400-500mcg daily for 2-4 weeks, then reduce to maintenance

Oral

  • General: 500-1000mcg daily (lower bioavailability, better for gut issues)

Cycle

  • 4-8 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off

Weight

  • based: 2.5-3.75mcg per kg body weight, taken twice daily

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

BPC-157 is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[7] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

1 active clinical trial on record — highest phase: Phase 2. 4 registered in total , of which 1 completed
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 24, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 19 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

TB-500 Not natty
Speeds wound healing, muscle and tendon recovery. Reduces inflammation, improves joint mobility, minimizes scar tissue formation.
Copper peptide GHK-Cu Not natty
Copper-binding tripeptide that supports skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, wound healing, and hair growth, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Used topically in cosmetics; deeper effects remain investigational.
KPV Not natty
Anti-inflammatory tripeptide from alpha-MSH. Dampens NF-κB inflammatory signaling and lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines in cell and animal studies. Researched for gut and skin inflammation and wound healing.
IGF-1 LR3 Not natty
Long-acting IGF-1 analog studied preclinically for muscle growth and tissue repair. No peer-reviewed human evidence of benefit. Risks include hypoglycemia, joint pain, unproven cancer concerns.

Frequently asked questions

What is BPC-157?

Synthetic gastric-juice peptide for tissue repair, gut healing, and anti-inflammatory effects. Strong animal evidence, limited human trials; not FDA-approved.

What is BPC-157 used for?

BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is used to heal faster after injury to tendons, ligaments, muscle, and the gut lining, and to calm inflammation. Only three small pilot studies exist, so the benefit is still unproven.

How does BPC-157 work?

A laboratory copy of a 15-part protein fragment found in stomach juice, taken by injection under the skin or by mouth. It is thought to help grow new blood vessels into damaged tissue and to lower inflammation signals.

Is BPC-157 natty?

No. BPC-157 is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is BPC-157 banned by WADA?

Yes. BPC-157 is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is BPC-157 administered?

BPC-157 is typically administered via: subcutaneous injection, oral. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. ^ Narrative review on regeneration or risk
  2. ^ Tendon healing study
  3. ^ Safety evaluation
  4. ^ Endothelium-Dependent Nitric Oxide-Mediated Vasorelaxant Effects of BPC 157 in Human Internal Mammary Artery.
  5. ^ BPC 157 in Rodent Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Critical Review of Preclinical Evidence. Recent review
  6. a b Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review. Recent review
  7. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Healing | Recovery | Tissue repair | Gut health

This page was last updated on October 24, 2026, at 02:51 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 24, 2026.

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply.