Peptides have become an increasingly popular compound, used by bodybuilders and recreational athletes alike, to promote healing, recovery, and the muscle building process. BPC-157, a peptide chain of 15 amino acids derived from a protein found in the stomach gastric juice, is suspected to enhance the repair of damaged soft tissues. We’re going to discuss what BPC-157 is, how it works, and what the current research shows.

What Is BPC-157

BPC-157, or Body Protection Compound – 157, is a pentadecapeptide, consisting of a fifteen amino acids bonds. BPC-157 is obtained from the gastric juice, found in the stomach. Preliminary animal studies have shown that BPC-157, does posses regenerative properties.

Peptides have become an increasingly popular performance-enhancing aid used for bodybuilding, recovery, overall health, wellness, and longevity.

Different than anabolic steroids and synthetic hormones, peptides are short chain amino acids, that typically contain between two and fifty chains of amino acids linked via peptide bonds.

Your body endogenously creates peptides, however, there are several different types of synthetic peptides, which are created for different benefits and functions. Natural sources can be found in foods, such as protein, nuts, and whole grains. Manufacturers isolate specific amino acids and combine them to form peptides. Thus, peptides are split into two distinct categories: endogenous and exogenous peptides.

How Does BPC-157 Work, What Does BPC-157 Do

There are several proposed, overlapping mechanisms of BPC-157. Research has shown that BPC-157 promotes nitric oxide synthesis, activating cells involved in the repair process stimulating the synthesis of growth factors, and inhibiting inflammation.

BPC-157 is referred to as a growth-hormone-releasing-peptide (GHRP). Secretagogues are agents or peptides that promote the secretion and release of hormones, neurohormones, chemical neurotransmitters, enzymes, or other molecules synthesized and secreted by cells.

Growth hormone secretagogues (GHS) are synthetic, non-natural peptidyl and non-peptidyl molecules. GH-releasing peptides (GHRPs), the first component of the GHS family, were invented, not isolated, in 1977, and are endowed with strong growth hormone releasing effects both in animals and in humans [R]. GH-releasing peptides have gained significant interest amongst the bodybuilding community and performance athletes, due to the belief that peptides have fewer side effects than supplementing HGH itself.

Animal studies have shown that BPC-157, induces the increase in growth hormone receptors and potentiate the proliferation-promoting effect of growth hormone.

BPC-157 Benefits

Wound Healing

Pre-clinical trials have shown that BPC-157 may benefit wound healing of soft tissues, and promote functional restoration of soft tissue damage, with a focus on tendon, ligament and skeletal muscle healing [R].

BPC-157 has been investigated in several different indications, and treatments, including gastrointestinal ulceration, bone healing, muscle healing, and central nervous system impairments, such as brain lesions, spinal cord injury, and behavioral disorders.

An animal study, investigating the potential mechanism of BPC-157 to enhance healing of injured tendons, found that BPC 157 significantly accelerated the outgrowth of tendon fibroblasts from tendon explants, in a dose dependent manner [R].

This is predicted to be from an upregulation of human growth hormone (HGH). BPC 157 dose- and time-dependently increased the expression of growth hormone receptor in tendon fibroblasts at both the mRNA and protein levels. The BPC 157-induced increase of growth hormone receptor in tendon fibroblasts may potentiate the proliferation-promoting effect of growth hormone and contribute to the healing of tendon [R].

Nueroprotective Effects

BPC-157 has also been shown to have a direct therapeutic effect on counteracting injury due to hippocampal ischemia, after stroke. In rats administered BPC-157, counteracted both early and delayed neural damage and additionally promoted full functional recovery, and ameliorated several functional behavioral tasks. The effects and findings of BPC-157 on neural damage, may potentially provide a novel therapeutic solution for stroke, imparting specific beneficial effects on the CNS [R]

BPC-157 Dosage

Therapeutic dosages in humans has not been established. However, preclinical animal trials, have shown that the efficacious oral doses, in rats of 10 μg/kg, is estimated to be equivalent to 1.6 μg/kg, or:

110μg for a 150lb person
145μg for a 200lb person
180μg for a 250lb person

BPC-157 Side Effects

HGH peptides or secretagogues, interact with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to naturally increase and facilitate the production of GH levels in the body. These peptides do work, however are they safe to take. They do not have the same risks associated with testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), or HGH; in relation to the reduction in sperm count, joint pain, swelling, or increased insulin resistance.

Peptides do not shut down your own testosterone production, thus will not disrupt fertility. However, peptides should be cycled and prescribed by a physician. The long-term safety and efficacy of GH-releasing peptides is not well studied. Even though GH-releasing peptides may be helpful for several indications or conditions when prescribed by a healthcare provider, off-label use of GH-releasing peptides is not safe or recommended.

Before taking any peptides, we do advise consulting a physician for specific recommendations. Peptides do need to be prescribed by a physician, to ensure quality and efficacy standards.

There have been no human pharmacokinetic or metabolic studies, to show potential risk factors or side effects to date.

BPC-157: Takeaway

BPC-157 has been shown to help with wound healing and facilitating the release of human growth hormone. Indcued increase of growth hormone receptor in tendon fibroblasts may potentiate the proliferation-promoting effect of growth hormone and contribute to the healing effects of BPC-157.

To date, there have not been any significantly well established clinical studies, to determine or verify the results of BPC-157 as a therapeutic treatment for wound healing. However pre-clinical data is promising, and shows that it can provide significant benefit.

Disclaimer: Swolverine does not condone the use or sell steroidal, non-steroidal SARMS, anabolic agents, pro-hormones, or peptides. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. BPC-157 is not for sale in the United States and used for only investigational use. Possessing, using, or distributing these substances may lead to serious legal consequences. BPC-157 and other peptides are on the WADA prohibited banned substance list and will cause a failed drug test.

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