What Is BPC-157?
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide with sequence Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val, derived from a protein identified in human gastric juice. Research originating in Croatia during the 1990s, led by Professor Predrag Sikiric at the University of Zagreb, established its foundational preclinical properties. Molecular weight approximates 1419.5 g/mol. The compound is available for research as a lyophilized acetate salt and as a stable arginine salt formulation.
Proposed Mechanisms of Action
- VEGFR2 Signaling — Modulates vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, fundamental to angiogenesis and endothelial tube formation in preclinical models.
- Nitric Oxide Pathway — Counteracts effects of NO synthase inhibitors in rodent models, supporting vasodilation mechanisms and tissue perfusion.
- Growth Factor Expression — Upregulates growth hormone receptor expression in isolated tendon fibroblast cultures, suggesting downstream anabolic signaling involvement.
- FAK-Paxillin Pathway — Emerging evidence points to focal adhesion kinase and paxillin involvement in BPC-157's cell migration and survival effects.
Research Categories
Musculoskeletal: Rat Achilles tendon transection models, medial collateral ligament injury studies, and bone defect models examine fibroblast outgrowth, collagen organization, vascular ingrowth, and biomechanical recovery metrics. BPC-157 consistently demonstrates accelerated organization of repair tissue in these models.
Gastrointestinal: Mucosal integrity in colitis models, esophageal mechanism investigations, short bowel syndrome models, and fistula healing research — fitting given its derivation from a gastric protection protein. The peptide's oral route of administration in some GI studies is notable relative to the injected routes used in musculoskeletal research.
Neuroprotection: Traumatic brain injury models, spinal cord transection studies, peripheral nerve crush injury, and neuromuscular junction research in emerging CNS literature. Dopaminergic and serotonergic pathway modulation has been examined in behavioral models.
Systemic Vascular: Endothelial protection, angiogenesis induction, and blood pressure modulation research in NO-deficiency and hypertension models.
Pharmacokinetic Data
Definitive human pharmacokinetic data for BPC-157 does not exist, as no approved human studies have been completed. Rodent studies suggest rapid absorption and distribution. The peptide's small size (1419.5 g/mol) and relative stability in gastric acid contribute to its bioavailability in oral administration models — an unusual property for peptides of this class.
Half-life estimates from animal studies vary by route: intraperitoneal administration data suggests relatively short plasma persistence with effects outlasting measured plasma concentrations, suggesting tissue-level mechanisms or receptor sensitization beyond simple pharmacokinetic models.
Dosing in Published Research
Research protocols in the published literature use the following general ranges:
- Rodent systemic studies: 10–100 µg/kg body weight, administered intraperitoneally or subcutaneously
- Rodent oral studies: 10 µg/kg to 10 mg/kg in drinking water across various GI models
- Frequency: Once daily in the majority of published protocols; some use twice-daily schedules for acute injury studies
These figures represent preclinical research dosing only. No human dosing data exists in peer-reviewed literature for BPC-157. For converting a target concentration into working-solution volumes, the BPC-157 reconstitution calculator handles the arithmetic.
Storage
Lyophilized material maintains stability at −20°C or colder for long-term storage. At 2–8°C (refrigerator), lyophilized material remains stable for several weeks to months. Reconstituted solutions remain stable for 28–30 days at 2–8°C; minimize freeze-thaw cycles by aliquoting before freezing if long-term reconstituted storage is required (see the full peptide storage guide).
Sourcing in Canada
BPC-157 is available domestically from Canadian research chemical suppliers with documented third-party COA testing. When evaluating sourcing, confirm HPLC purity of ≥98% (≥99% preferred), mass spectrometry identity confirmation against the published molecular weight of 1419.5 g/mol, and batch-specific documentation rather than generic product certificates.
Both acetate salt and arginine salt forms are commercially available. The arginine salt formulation is reported to have greater aqueous solubility and may be preferred for protocols requiring higher concentration reconstitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is BPC-157? BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a protein identified in human gastric juice, with a molecular weight of approximately 1419.5 g/mol. Foundational preclinical research began in Croatia in the 1990s under Professor Predrag Sikiric at the University of Zagreb.
What salt forms of BPC-157 are available for research? BPC-157 is supplied for research as a lyophilized acetate salt and as a stable arginine salt formulation. Both are commercially available; the arginine salt is reported to have greater aqueous solubility and may be preferred for protocols requiring higher-concentration reconstitution.
How should BPC-157 be stored? Lyophilized BPC-157 stays stable at −20°C or colder for long-term storage, and for several weeks to months at 2–8°C. Reconstituted solutions remain stable for 28–30 days at 2–8°C. Minimize freeze-thaw cycles by aliquoting before freezing if long-term reconstituted storage is required.
What purity should research-grade BPC-157 meet? When sourcing BPC-157, confirm HPLC purity of at least 98% (99% preferred), mass spectrometry identity confirmation against the published molecular weight of 1419.5 g/mol, and batch-specific documentation rather than generic product certificates from a Canadian supplier with third-party COA testing.
Research Disclaimer
BPC-157 is not approved by Health Canada or any regulatory authority for human or veterinary therapeutic use. All research applications are exclusively in vitro or preclinical. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.