Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 positively affects both non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent-induced gastrointestinal lesions and adjuvant arthritis in rats.
Sikiric. P P; Seiwerth. S S; Grabarevic. Z Z; Rucman. R R; Petek. M M; Jagic. V V; Turkovic. B B; Rotkvic. I I; Mise. S S; Zoricic. I I; Konjevoda. P P; Perovic. D D; Simicevic. V V; Separovic. J J; Hanzevacki. M M; Ljubanovic. D D; Artukovic. B B; Bratulic. M M; Tisljar. M M; Rekic. B B; Gjurasin. M M; Miklic. P P; Buljat. G G
Key Findings
- BPC‑157 (10 µg or 10 ng/kg i.p.) reduced NSAID‑induced stomach and small‑intestine lesions in rats.
- A single dose of BPC‑157 before or after arthritis‑inducing injection lessened joint damage, with daily dosing giving even greater benefit.
- Protective and anti‑inflammatory effects persisted with long‑term treatment (up to 1 year) in the arthritis model.
Practical Outcomes
- The study suggests BPC‑157 might be useful as a gut‑protective supplement for people who regularly use NSAIDs and could have anti‑inflammatory benefits for joint health. However, the data are from animal experiments only, so human dosing, safety, and efficacy are still unknown. Biohackers should treat this as preliminary evidence and await clinical trials before incorporating BPC‑157 into a regimen.
Summary
In rats, a tiny peptide called BPC‑157 helped protect the stomach and intestines from damage caused by common painkillers like ibuprofen and aspirin, and it also reduced joint inflammation in a model of arthritis. The peptide was effective when given just before the drug, at the same time, or as a daily dose over weeks to months.
Abstract
Besides a superior protection of the pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (an essential fragment of an organoprotective gastric juice peptide BPC) against different gastrointestinal and liver lesions, an acute anti-inflammatory and analgetic activity was also noted. Consequently, its effect on chronic inflammation lesions, such as adjuvant arthritis, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIAs)-induced gastrointestinal lesions was simultaneously studied in rats. In gastrointestinal lesions (indomethacin (30 mg/kg s.c.), aspirin (400 mg/kg i.g.) and diclofenac (125 mg/kg i.p.) studies, BPC 157 (10 micrograms or 10 ng/kg i.p.) was regularly given simultaneously and/or 1 h prior to drug application (indomethacin). In the adjuvant arthritis (tail-application of 0.2 mL of Freund's adjuvant) studies (14 days, 30 days, 1 year) BPC 157 (10 micrograms or 10 ng/kg i.p.), it was given as a single application (at 1 h either before or following the application of Freund's adjuvant) or in a once daily regimen (0-14th day, 14-30th day, 14th day-1 year). Given with the investigated NSAIAs, BPC 157 consistently reduced the otherwise prominent lesions in the stomach of the control rats, as well as the lesions in the small intestine in the indomethacin groups. In the adjuvant arthritis studies, the lesion's development seems to be considerably reduced after single pentadecapeptide medication, and even more attenuated in rats daily treated with BPC 157. As a therapy of already established adjuvant arthritis, its salutary effect consistently appeared already after 2 weeks of medication and it could be clearly seen also after 1 year of application. Taking together all these results, the data likely point to a special anti-inflammatory and mucosal integrity protective effect.
Study Information
pubmed
1997
10.1016/s0928-4257(97)89474-0