What is BPC-157?
BPC-157, also known as Body Protection Compound 157, is a synthetic peptide formed of 15 amino acids—a partial sequence of a body protection compound isolated from and identified in human gastric juice. It has been observed to trigger a wide range of healing effects and has gone through clinical trials for ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis [1, 2].
BPC-157 has been studied as playing a role in angiogenesis, the process by which new blood vessels and capillaries develop throughout adult life. It has been linked to the activation and upregulation of VEGFR2, a tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a vital role in angiogenesis [3].
It has also been shown to portray the following:
- Anti-inflammatory effects
- Cytoprotective effects
- Endothelial-protective effects in various organ systems and species [4].
Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that BPC-157 enhanced the healing of several types of wounds in rats, including Achilles tendon and muscle crush injuries [5, 6]. Additionally, BPC-157 has shown promising results in effectively healing gastrointestinal tract lesions and fistulas [1, 7].
What is Arthritis?
Arthritis. is a medical condition involving inflammation, stiffness, and joint pain. It is not a particular disease but a term for joint pain or disease. Over 100 disease classifications are available, showing varied manifestations of symptoms [8, 9].
Arthritis can be a chronic, debilitating condition or a temporary consequence of an acute bacterial or viral infection. It can occur at any time in life – babies and the elderly are both susceptible – but it is more prevalent among older adults [10, 11].
Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). OA, sometimes resulting from age or injury, begins with a breakdown of the cartilage at the ends of the bones, causing the cartilage to become uneven and rough [12, 13].
RA, however, is arthritis that results from an autoimmune flare-up whereby the body’s immune system attacks its tissues, causing the joints to become inflamed (with pain, swelling and a loss of specific function)[14].
Can BPC-157 Treat Arthritis?
Created as a pentadecapeptide, or 15-amino acid chain, BPC-157 has had some exciting results. There’s dramatic anecdotal evidence supporting it in arthritis treatment, for example, acting as a modulator on inflammation and, potentially, one of the key contributors to the process of angiogenesis, or the growth of new blood vessels required for healing and recovery.
For example, in an experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis – known as adjuvant arthritis – these scientists demonstrated that, in rats, a single application of BPC-157 can be practical and have an effect in rats treated once a day with the peptide. The study showed that lesion development was markedly reduced after a single application of BPC-157, and the effect was even more significant in rats treated daily with the peptide. Moreover, BPC-157 also has a therapeutic impact on already developed adjuvant arthritis after only two weeks of drug treatment and one year after application was still present [9].
The anti-inflammatory BPC-157 could help reduce arthritis symptoms, an inflammatory disease in which the body’s immune system targets the joints. In the rat model of ligature-induced periodontitis — chronic inflammation from an infection triggering the body’s immune system to attack its tissues—treatment with BPC-157 reduced inflammation. When given systemically, it prevented bone resorption (breaking down bone tissue, with calcium loss) [8].
BPC-157 and Pain Management
Moreover, BPC-157 doesn’t only appear to be helpful as an anti-inflammatory. It would seem to have analgesic (pain-relieving) properties, too. In a retrospective study of patients with knee pain (another common symptom of arthritis), treating this pain with an intra-articular injection of BPC-157 significantly reduced knee pain in 91.6% of patients who had received only BPC-157 [15].
Overall, while the studies mentioned here indicate that BPC-157 could be a viable remedy for arthritis, most of these studies were conducted on laboratory animals. Therefore, an accompanying human clinical trial must demonstrate its safety and efficacy in human subjects in the treatment of arthritis.
What are the risks associated with BPC-157?
In the mentioned studies, BPC-157 is safe in various animal models, with limited (or no) toxicity reported [16]. In clinical trials for inflammatory bowel disease and wound healing, BPC-157 has shown promising effects which exhibit no harm [16].
Although encouraging, it should be noted that these results derive from animal studies and early-phase human trials, and more extensive human clinical trials will be required to confirm BPC-157’s practical safety profile.
Like any health supplement or medication, there may be risks or side effects, and responses may be individualised. Therefore, seek consultation with your healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Check out one of our other blogs on BPC-157.