What Is BPC-157? The Body Protection Compound Explained
BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide taken from a protein in gastric juice. It is one of the most talked-about research peptides, and most of what is known comes from animal studies. Here is what it is, where the research comes from and its status.
BPC-157 in brief
BPC stands for body protection compound. BPC-157 (also written BPC157 or BPC 157) is a pentadecapeptide, a chain of 15 amino acids, that matches part of a larger protein found in human gastric juice. Unlike most peptides, it is stable in stomach acid, which is one reason it attracted research interest.
- Sequence
- GEPPPGKPADDAGLV
- Length
- 15 amino acids
- Molecular weight
- About 1,419 Da
- Origin
- Gastric juice protein
- WADA
- Prohibited since 2022
Where the research comes from
Much of the BPC-157 literature comes from one group at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, which has published on it since the early 1990s. The great majority of studies are in rats and mice, with very few controlled human trials.
| Research area | Typical model |
|---|---|
| Gut lining | Ulcer and colitis models in rodents |
| Tendon and ligament | Surgical injury models in rats |
| Muscle | Crush and injury models |
| Blood vessels | Angiogenesis and nitric oxide signalling studies |
Because the evidence is mostly preclinical and from a small number of labs, independent replication is an open question in the field. That is worth keeping in mind when reading claims about BPC-157 online.
- Early 1990sFirst BPC-157 papers published by the Zagreb group.
- 2000s to 2010sHundreds of rodent studies across gut, tendon, muscle and vessel models.
- 2022Added to the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list.
- TodayNot an approved medicine in Australia; a prescription-only substance for human use.
Why stability matters
Most peptides are broken down quickly by stomach acid and enzymes. BPC-157's stability in gastric juice is unusual, and it is part of why researchers have tested it in different administration routes in animal models. In the lab, it is supplied as a lyophilised powder that is stable cold and dry, then reconstituted for use.
BPC-157 alongside other peptides
BPC-157 is often studied with TB-500; see BPC-157 vs TB-500 for a full comparison. It also appears in the BPC-157 + TB-500 blend and the GLOW and KLOW blends. On its own we stock BPC-157 in 5mg and 10mg vials.
Regulatory status
BPC-157 is not an approved medicine in Australia and is a prescription-only (Schedule 4) substance for human use. Research-grade BPC-157 is sold for laboratory use only.
Further reading
For laboratory research use only. Not for human consumption. Not medical or legal advice.
