What are Peptides?
Peptides are short chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. These naturally occurring molecules play a crucial role in many biological functions, including regulating hormones, boosting metabolism, supporting immune function, and promoting tissue repair.
In the world of health and wellness, peptides have gained popularity for their potential to support muscle growth, enhance recovery, improve skin health, and even improve overall vitality. Because peptides are smaller and more targeted than full proteins, they can be more easily absorbed by the body and act efficiently on specific functions.
Additional Resources
Peptide Information
What is BPC-157?
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BPC-157 stands for "Body Protection Compound-157," a derivative of a natural protein found in the human digestive tract.
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It plays a role in protecting the gastrointestinal lining, promoting healing, and encouraging blood vessel growth.
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Synthetic BPC-157 is a pentadecapeptide (15 amino acids) that retains many healing properties of its natural counterpart.
Peptide Structure
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Sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val.
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Molecular Formula: C62H98N16O22.
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Molecular Weight: 1419.53552 g/mol.
Peptide Research
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Wound Healing:
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BPC-157 aids in fibroblast recruitment, promoting extracellular matrix production (e.g., collagen).
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Demonstrates dose-dependent effects in enhancing cell proliferation and migration.
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Vascular Growth:
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A potent angiogenic factor that stimulates endothelial cell proliferation and vascular collateral growth.
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Shown to promote healing in ischemic conditions (e.g., gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular tissue).
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Tendon and Ligament Repair:
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Promotes fibroblast density and extracellular matrix formation in connective tissue injuries.
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Enhances vascularization and healing efficiency compared to other growth factors (e.g., bFGF, VEGF).
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Antioxidant Properties:
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Neutralizes oxidative stress markers like nitric oxide and malondialdehyde (MDA).
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Shown to reduce reactive oxygen species in the gastrointestinal tract.
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Sources and Additional Research on BPC-157
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A. Duzel et al., "Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in the treatment of colitis and ischemia and reperfusion in rats: New insights," World J. Gastroenterol., vol. 25, no. 33, pp. 5337–5350, Dec. 2019.
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J. Vukovic et al., "Rat inferior caval vein (ICV) ligature and particular new insights with the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157," Vascular Pharmacol., vol. 102, pp. 47–62, 2019.
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M.-J. Hsieh et al., "Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC 157 is associated with VEGFR activation and up-regulation," J. Mol. Med. (Berl., Ger.), vol. 97, no. 3, pp. 331–342, 2019.
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Z. Grabaric et al., "The influence of BPC 157 on nitric oxide agonist and antagonist-induced lesions in broiler chicks," J. Physiol. Paris, vol. 108, no. 1–2, pp. 42–50, Oct. 2019.
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P. Sikiric et al., "Novel cytoprotective mediator: Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, vascular recruitment, and gastrointestinal tract healing," Curr. Pharm. Des., vol. 25, no. 33, pp. 3648–3660, 2019.
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S. Seiwert et al., "BPC 157 and standard angiogenic growth factors: Lessons from tendon, ligament, muscle, and bone healing," Curr. Pharm. Des., vol. 25, no. 33, pp. 3661–3670, 2019.
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H.-H. Chang et al., "The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration," J. Appl. Physiol., vol. 124, no. 3, pp. 548–558, Mar. 2019.
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Y.-L. Hu et al., "FAK and paxillin dynamics at focal adhesions in the protrusions of migrating cells," Sci. Rep., vol. 4, p. 6024, Aug. 2014.
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M. Skrlac et al., "Engineering recombinant Lactococcus lactis as a delivery vehicle for BPC 157 peptide with antioxidant activities," Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., vol. 103, no. 20, pp. 8359–8371, Dec. 2019.
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D. Strinic et al., "BPC 157 counteracts QTc prolongation induced by haloperidol, fluphenazine, clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, sulpiride, and metoclopramide in rats," Life Sci., vol. 235, pp. 116936–116947, Oct. 2019.
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N. Jelovac et al., "Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 attenuates disturbances induced by neuroleptics: The effect on catalepsy and gastric ulcers in mice and rats," Eur. J. Pharmacol., vol. 825, no. 1, pp. 1–12, Aug. 2019.
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I. Tlak Gajger et al., "Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in honeybee (Apis mellifera) therapy: To control Nosema ceranae invasions in apiary conditions," J. Vet. Pharmacol. Ther., vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 437–445, Aug. 2020.
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K.-H. Chan et al., "Therapeutic role of BPC 157 in endothelial dysfunction: An insight into its clinical implications," Int. J. Med. Sci., vol. 16, pp. 1–12, 2019.