Peptide Research

In-depth research profiles with mechanisms of action, key findings, and peer-reviewed citations from PubMed.

Body Protection Compound-157

BPC-157 | Pentadecapeptide | PL 14736 | PL-10 | Bepecin

Molecular Weight1419.53 g/mol
CAS Number137525-51-0
SequenceGly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val
Tissue Repair Gastrointestinal Protection Musculoskeletal Healing Neuroprotection Angiogenesis

Mechanism of Action

BPC-157 is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a protective protein found in human gastric juice. Its mechanisms of action are multifaceted and have been studied extensively in over 100 animal studies. A central aspect of its activity involves upregulation of growth factor expression, including VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor), and their receptors. This pro-angiogenic activity helps explain its remarkable wound-healing and tissue-repair properties observed across multiple tissue types.

BPC-157 also interacts with the nitric oxide (NO) system in a complex, context-dependent manner. It can rescue NO production when it is pathologically inhibited and can attenuate excessive NO when it is overproduced, suggesting a modulatory rather than unidirectional effect. Research by Sikiric et al. has demonstrated that BPC-157 interacts with the dopaminergic system and may counteract both the acute and chronic effects of dopaminergic agents, pointing to direct CNS activity.

At the gastrointestinal level, BPC-157 maintains mucosal integrity by promoting granulation tissue formation and angiogenesis within lesion sites. It has shown cytoprotective effects against NSAID-induced gastric damage, ethanol-induced lesions, and stress ulcers in numerous rodent models. The peptide appears to modulate the FAK-paxillin pathway, which is critical for cell migration and adhesion during wound repair.

Key Research Findings

  • Sikiric et al. (2011) reviewed decades of research showing BPC-157 heals esophageal, gastric, duodenal, and colonic lesions in rodent models, with efficacy comparable to or exceeding standard treatments.
  • Chang et al. (2011) demonstrated BPC-157 accelerated healing of transected Achilles tendons in rats by promoting tendon fibroblast outgrowth and VEGF expression.
  • Seiwerth et al. (2014) showed BPC-157 promoted angiogenesis in a chick embryo CAM assay and accelerated cutaneous wound healing in diabetic rodent models.
  • Pevec et al. (2010) found BPC-157 improved healing of medial collateral ligament injuries in rats with increased biomechanical strength at the repair site.
  • Sikiric et al. (2018) demonstrated BPC-157 interacts with the NO system, rescuing impaired healing in L-NAME-treated animals and counteracting excessive NO in L-arginine models.

References

  1. PMID: 21548867
  2. PMID: 21030672
  3. PMID: 9483464
  4. PMID: 20190686
  5. PMID: 30574087

Dosage in Research

In rodent studies, BPC-157 is typically administered at 10 mcg/kg or 10 ng/kg, delivered intraperitoneally or locally at the injury site. Oral administration has also been studied for gastrointestinal applications. No human clinical trial data is currently published.

Storage & Handling

Store lyophilized powder at -20C, protected from light. Reconstituted solution should be refrigerated at 2-8C and used within 14-21 days. Use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is BPC-157?

BPC-157 is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a naturally occurring protein in human gastric juice called Body Protection Compound. It has been studied extensively in animal models for its broad tissue-protective and healing properties.

What types of tissue repair has BPC-157 been studied for?

Animal studies have investigated BPC-157 in tendon, ligament, muscle, bone, skin, corneal, and gastrointestinal tissue repair. It has shown pro-healing effects across all these tissue types, which researchers attribute to its pro-angiogenic and growth factor modulatory activity.

Are there human clinical trials for BPC-157?

As of current literature, BPC-157 has been studied primarily in animal models and in vitro systems. While its safety profile in animal studies has been favorable (no reported toxicity at therapeutic doses), published human clinical trial data remains limited.

How does BPC-157 relate to TB-500?

BPC-157 and TB-500 (thymosin beta-4) are often studied in parallel due to their complementary tissue-repair mechanisms. BPC-157 works primarily through angiogenesis and growth factor modulation, while TB-500 promotes cell migration via actin polymerization regulation. This is the rationale behind blend products like the Wolverine Blend.

Source Body Protection Compound-157 for your research

98%+ purity, third-party tested, COA included

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Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500 Fragment)

TB-500 | TB500 | Thymosin Beta 4 | Tbeta4

Molecular Weight4921.0 g/mol (full Tbeta4)
CAS Number77591-33-4
SequenceFull TB4: Ac-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro-Asp-Met-Ala-Glu-Ile-Glu-Lys-Phe-Asp-Lys-Ser-Lys-Leu-Lys-Lys-Thr-Glu-Thr-Gln-Glu-Lys-Asn-Pro-Leu-Pro-Ser-Lys-Glu-Thr-Ile-Glu-Gln-Glu-Lys-Gln-Ala-Gly-Glu-Ser
Wound Healing Tissue Repair Cardiac Repair Anti-Inflammatory Hair Growth

Mechanism of Action

Thymosin beta-4 (Tbeta4) is a 43-amino-acid peptide that is the most abundant member of the beta-thymosin family. Despite its name (a historical artifact from its original isolation from thymus tissue), Tbeta4 is expressed in virtually all nucleated cells and is one of the most abundant intracellular peptides, with concentrations reaching 0.4 mM in some cell types. TB-500 is a synthetic version commonly used in research.

The primary intracellular function of Tbeta4 is sequestration of G-actin (globular, monomeric actin), regulating the pool of actin available for polymerization into F-actin (filamentous actin). This function is critical because actin polymerization drives cell migration — a rate-limiting step in wound healing. By maintaining a reserve of polymerization-ready G-actin, Tbeta4 enables rapid cell migration when needed. The active site responsible for actin binding is the central region containing the sequence LKKTET.

Beyond actin regulation, Tbeta4 has potent anti-inflammatory activity. It suppresses NF-kB signaling and reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine expression. Bock-Marquette et al. made a landmark discovery showing Tbeta4 activates Akt (protein kinase B) in cardiomyocytes, promoting survival after ischemic injury. This finding opened research into cardiac repair applications. Tbeta4 also promotes angiogenesis, hair follicle stem cell migration, and has been shown to reduce corneal inflammation and scarring.

Key Research Findings

  • Malinda et al. (1999) demonstrated Tbeta4 accelerated dermal wound healing in rats, promoting keratinocyte migration and angiogenesis while reducing inflammation.
  • Bock-Marquette et al. (2004) showed Tbeta4 promotes survival of cardiomyocytes after ischemic injury through Akt activation, establishing its cardioprotective potential.
  • Philp et al. (2004) demonstrated Tbeta4 promotes corneal wound healing by stimulating epithelial cell migration and reducing inflammatory infiltrates and scarring.
  • Sosne et al. (2007) showed Tbeta4 suppresses NF-kB activation and downstream inflammatory mediators, providing a mechanism for its anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Smart et al. (2007) demonstrated Tbeta4 activates epicardial progenitor cells to form new cardiomyocytes in adult mouse hearts, suggesting regenerative cardiac potential.

References

  1. PMID: 10469318
  2. PMID: 15356634
  3. PMID: 15541765
  4. PMID: 17399701

Dosage in Research

Equine research used loading doses of 10 mg every other day for 30 days. Rodent wound healing studies used 5-6 mcg/wound topically or 150 mcg systemically. Cardiac studies in mice used 150 mcg intraperitoneally.

Storage & Handling

Store lyophilized powder at -20C. Reconstituted solution should be refrigerated at 2-8C and used within 21 days. Tbeta4 is moderately stable in solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is TB-500/Thymosin Beta-4?

Thymosin beta-4 is a naturally occurring 43-amino-acid peptide found in nearly all human cells. It regulates actin polymerization (critical for cell migration), promotes wound healing, reduces inflammation, and has shown cardioprotective properties. TB-500 is a commonly used synthetic form.

How does TB-500 promote wound healing?

TB-500 primarily works by regulating actin availability for cell migration — the rate-limiting step in wound repair. It maintains a pool of G-actin ready for rapid polymerization, enabling keratinocytes and fibroblasts to migrate into wound sites. It also promotes angiogenesis and suppresses inflammation via NF-kB inhibition.

What is the LKKTET sequence?

LKKTET is the actin-binding domain within thymosin beta-4. This six-amino-acid sequence is responsible for G-actin sequestration and is considered the minimal active sequence for many of TB4's biological effects.

Source Thymosin Beta-4 (TB-500 Fragment) for your research

98%+ purity, third-party tested, COA included

View at Research Vials