BPC-157 is a partial form of the protein known as body protection compound (BPC). BPC is a natural component within the body and has been found, in experiments on animals, to promote healing. BPC is not just active in intestinal repair and healing, but appears to produce similar effects in a number of tissues. Scientific studies based on animal test subjects has shown that its healing actions are at least partially linked to growth hormone (GH).It is a part of a naturally occurring protein known as body protection compound (BPC).

BPC was first isolated from gastric (stomach) juice, but has also been found in other locations, such as the skin and liver. Previous research in animal test subjects has indicated that BPC 157 and BPC both promote healing. New animal research is starting to shed some light on just how they do that. In vitro experiments indicate that fibroblasts survive for longer in the presence of BPC 157.

Fibroblasts survive about 1.5 times longer when BPC 157 is present [2]. What is more, those cells tend to be healthier and more active and thus more capable of carrying out their repair roles.

Fibroblasts are motile (move about) cells found in most connective tissue (bones, tendons, muscle, gastric mucosa, skin, etc.). When damage to tissue occurs, fibroblasts migrate to the site of injury in order to begin the process of repair. They also divide and reproduce (outgrowth) to increase the number of fibroblasts available for tissue repair.

In vitro studies reveal that migration of fibroblasts is directly affected by BPC 157 concentrations. Where BPC 157 levels are the highest, more fibroblasts can be found. Evidence shows that BPC 157 is not just an attractant, but that it causes fibroblasts to migrate nearly 2.5 times faster than normal. Not only do the cells migrate in response to BPC 157 levels, they reproduce in response to them as well. Fibroblast outgrowth is approximately three times higher in the presence of BPC 157 [1].

Resources:

[1] T. Cerovecki, I. Bojanic, L. Brcic, B. Radic, I. Vukoja, S. Seiwerth, and P. Sikiric, “Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat,” J. Orthop. Res. Off. Publ. Orthop. Res. Soc., vol. 28, no. 9, pp. 1155-1161, Sep. 2010.[2] C.-H. Chang, W.-C. Tsai, Y.-H. Hsu, and J.-H. S. Pang, “Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 enhances the growth hormone receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts,” Mol. Basel Switz., vol. 19, no. 11, pp. 19066-19077, 2014.[3] C.-H. Chang, W.-C. Tsai, M.-S. Lin, Y.-H. Hsu, and J.-H. S. Pang, “The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration,” J. Appl. Physiol., vol. 110, no. 3, pp. 774-780, Mar. 2011.[4] B. Bódis, O. Karádi, P. Németh, C. Dohoczky, M. Kolega, and G. Mózsik, “Evidence for direct cellular protective effect of PL-10 substances (synthesized parts of body protection compound, BPC) and their specificity to gastric mucosal cells,” Life Sci., vol. 61, no. 16, p. PL 243-248, 1997.