BPC-157: Body Protection Compound-157
A synthetic 15-amino-acid peptide studied in animals for tissue healing, angiogenesis and gut repair — not FDA-approved for human use.
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic, stable pentadecapeptide — a chain of 15 amino acids based on a sequence identified in human gastric juice. It has been studied extensively in animal models for effects on tissue repair, new blood-vessel formation (angiogenesis) and inflammation. It is not approved by the FDA for human use, and robust human clinical-trial evidence remains limited. In research and community discussion it comes up most often around tendon, ligament, muscle and gastrointestinal healing.
Published-literature summary: In multiple animal models, BPC-157 has demonstrated accelerated healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and gut tissue. Studies suggest it upregulates growth hormone receptors and modulates nitric oxide pathways to promote angiogenesis and reduce inflammation. Particularly well-studied for GI repair and musculoskeletal injuries. (Sikiric et al. (2018) — Curr Pharm Des; Gwyer et al. (2019) — PubMed 30862747; Vukojevic et al. (2018) — J Physiol Pharmacol)
How BPC-157 works (mechanism)
In laboratory and animal research, BPC-157's effects are attributed largely to two interlinked pathways. First, it is reported to promote angiogenesis — the growth of new blood vessels — in part by up-regulating vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) [1]. Second, it modulates the nitric-oxide (NO) system: studies describe rapid activation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) and involvement of the Src–Caveolin-1–eNOS pathway, which influences vascular tone and healing [2]. In tendon cells specifically, BPC-157 has been reported to up-regulate the growth-hormone receptor, which may support tendon-fibroblast activity [3]. Importantly, the significance of these mechanisms is actively debated among research groups, and the evidence is overwhelmingly from rodent and cell studies rather than humans.
Why it's studied / reported uses
Tendon, ligament & muscle repair
Animal studies report accelerated healing of transected tendon, ligament and muscle — including at the myotendinous junction and after surgical muscle-to-bone detachment [4][5]. These are preclinical findings. A Phase 2 human trial in acute hamstring strain is under way but has not yet reported results [6].
Gastrointestinal healing
BPC-157 derives from a gastric-juice sequence and has been studied in animal models of gut injury, ulcers and inflammatory bowel conditions, where it is reported to support mucosal healing through its angiogenic and NO-system effects [7].
Wound & soft-tissue healing
Reviews of wound-healing research describe improved healing of skin and other soft tissue in animals, again linked to increased angiogenesis [7]. Human evidence for these uses is not yet established.
Dosing reported in studies
Route: subcutaneous
Human dosing is not established; figures come from animal studies scaled by body-weight and community protocols.
Sources: Sikiric et al. (2018) — Curr Pharm Des · Gwyer et al. (2019) — PubMed 30862747
Efficacy data are overwhelmingly from rodent models. No FDA-approved human dose exists. These figures reflect what studies or protocols reported — not a recommendation and not tailored to you.
Calculate a dose in the reconstitution calculator →Common combinations & stacks
Wolverine Stack (BPC-157 + TB-500)
The most commonly discussed combination pairs BPC-157 with TB-500 (a Thymosin β4 fragment). The reported rationale: BPC-157 is associated with local repair and angiogenesis at an injury site, while TB-500 is associated with systemic cell migration and broader soft-tissue turnover. This is a community protocol, not a validated regimen — neither peptide is FDA-approved, both are prohibited in sport by WADA, and there is no controlled human evidence for the combination.
Safety & side effects
In the published (largely animal) research, BPC-157 has shown a favourable short-term safety profile, with no lethal dose identified and no serious adverse events reported at studied doses [1]. Commonly reported effects in community use include nausea, headache, dizziness and injection-site reactions. Critically, long-term human safety is unknown — there are very few human studies — and it is not FDA-approved. Because BPC-157 stimulates blood-vessel growth, some reviewers have raised theoretical caution in settings where new vessel growth is undesirable; this is discussed but not established [8]. It is banned for athletes under WADA. Always consult a licensed physician before considering any use.
Studies & references
- BPC 157, angiogenesis and the nitric-oxide system (review) — NCBI / PMC12195719
- Modulatory effects of BPC 157 on the Src–Caveolin-1–eNOS pathway — NCBI / PMC7555539
- Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 enhances growth-hormone-receptor expression in tendon fibroblasts — NCBI / PMC6271067
- BPC 157 as therapy for disabled myotendinous junctions in rats — NCBI / PMC8615275
- BPC 157 for muscle-to-bone reattachment after surgical detachment (rats) — NCBI / PMC11768438
- BPC 157 for acute hamstring muscle strain repair (Phase 2, recruiting) — ClinicalTrials.gov NCT07437547
- Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and wound healing (review) — NCBI / PMC8275860
- Regeneration or Risk? A narrative review of BPC-157 — NCBI / PMC12446177
- Gwyer et al. — BPC 157 and tissue healing (review) — PubMed 30862747
Frequently asked questions
Is BPC-157 FDA-approved?
No. BPC-157 is not approved by the FDA for any human use and is generally sold as a research chemical. It is also prohibited in competitive sport by WADA.
What is BPC-157 used for?
In research it is studied mainly for tissue healing — tendon, ligament, muscle and the gut — and for its effects on blood-vessel formation. These are largely animal-model findings, not proven human treatments.
How is BPC-157 dosed in studies?
There is no established human dose. Commonly reported research and community protocols use roughly 200–500 mcg per day by subcutaneous injection over 2–4 week cycles (see the dosing section above). This is not a recommendation.
Is BPC-157 legal?
It is sold for research purposes in many places but is not an approved medicine, and it is banned in competitive sport by WADA. Legal status varies by country — check your local regulations.
What are BPC-157's side effects?
Published (mostly animal) studies report few serious adverse events at studied doses; community-reported effects include nausea, headache, dizziness and injection-site reactions. Long-term human safety is unknown.
⚠ Research & educational use only. This page is compiled from published research and does not constitute medical advice. BPC-157 is not FDA-approved and is generally classified as a research chemical. Nothing here is a recommendation to use or a prescription. Safe use can only be determined by a licensed physician. Last updated 2026-07-06.