BPC-157, which stands for Body Protection Compound-157, is obtained from the parent protein known as body protection compound (BPC). BPC is a naturally occurring protein in the digestive tract[1]. Research suggests that it protects the gastrointestinal tract lining from damage, mediates healing, and encourages the growth of blood vessels. BPC 157 is a penta-decapeptide made up of 15 amino acids. It is derived from a stretch of the body protection compound (BPC) discovered and purified from human gastric juice. Animal studies have observed its potential efficacy in healing different wounds such as muscle, tendon, and torn ligaments. It may further protect organs and help to prevent gastric ulcers[2]. Sikiric et al noted that there was a strong protection, noted following intragastric or intraperitoneal administration of BPC 157. BPC-157 also has the potential to enhance the health of the digestive tract and prevent against irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastrointestinal cramps, and Crohn’s disease. The peptide also has analgesic properties, and by promoting the blood flow to the damaged tissues, it may help heal skin burns faster.
The synthetic peptide appears to have retained several of the healing properties of its parent molecule, such as:
– Blood vessel growth
– Wound healing
– Nitric oxide generation
– Immune system function
– The coagulation cascade
– Gene expression
– Hormone regulation (specifically in the gastrointestinal, nervous system)
BPC-157 AND WOUND HEALING
The GI tract’s mucosal barrier is considered to help protect the underlying tissues from the harmful actions of bile, gastric acid, and other compounds necessary for the digestion and absorption of nutrients from food. BPC-157 is believed to help preserve the structural integrity of the mucosal layer. The role appears to be partially mediated through the recruitment of fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are considered pivotal to healing wounds as they produce extracellular matrix proteins such as fibrin, collagen, elastin, and others. BPC-157 has been observed to promote the proliferation and faster migration of fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner.[3] In another trial it was hypothesized that BPC-157 may have led to an acceleration in wound closure compared to the control group via an improvement in the formation of granulation tissue, reepithelialization, dermal remodeling, and collagen deposition. There is a possibility that BPC-157 may have promoted the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the injured skin tissues[4]. Moreover, the researchers commented that BPC-157 may have shown a potential to enhance umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation (HUVECs). Furthermore, there may have been a significant increase in the migration of HUVECs, as indicated by the comments from wound healing assays. Adding BPC-157 possibly resulted in an upregulation of VEGF-a expression and acceleration of vascular tube formation in vitro. It also appeared that BPC-157 might have regulated the phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and their downstream targets, including c-Fos, c-Jun, and Egr-1. These molecules are hypothesized to potentially play significant roles in cell growth, migration, and angiogenesis.[4]
BPC-157 AND VASCULAR GROWTH AND COLLATERALIZATION
The peptide has the potential as an angiogenic, and studies suggest it may enhance endothelial cells’ growth and proliferation, which line the walls of blood vessels. Research in rats has observed that the peptide may substantially increase the collateral blood vessel growth rate in the setting of ischemia.[5] The above effect has been primarily observed in the GI tract, but research has noted similar observations in muscle, neurological, and cardiovascular tissues. Research using chicken embryos has posited that BPC-157 may also have the potential to promote vascular growth through activation of VEGFR2 pathway. VEGFR2 is a cell surface receptor active in nitric oxide signaling and is considered to help in cell growth, longevity, and proliferation. BPC-157 may promote vascular “running” in cultured cells. Vascular “running” is the growth and development of new blood vessels towards a site of injury or around the area of blood clot to reach out to distal tissues and thus protect cellular function.
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