# BPC-157 Source: The Preclinical Research Archive > BPC-157 has been studied across more than thirty preclinical models — tendon, ligament, gut, nerve, bone. The complete literature archive, cited and indexed. ## What Is BPC-157? BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide. Sequence: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val. Derived from the BPC protein in human gastric juice. The research form is entirely synthetic — not extracted from biological material [1]. Molecular weight: 1,419.5 Da. Also known as Body Protection Compound 157, pentadecapeptide BPC 157, and PL 14736. The parent protein was isolated in the 1990s. Research began at the University of Zagreb; today the compound has more than thirty preclinical publications cataloged in PubMed. BPC-157 is not FDA-approved. It is not approved by any major regulatory body for human therapeutic use. WADA lists it as a prohibited substance under Section S0 — Non-Approved Substances. ## What Does BPC-157 Do in the Body? Three well-characterized signaling cascades have been documented in the literature. First: VEGFR2-Akt-eNOS upregulation, driving angiogenesis — the formation of new blood vessels at injury sites. Second: Src-Caveolin-1-eNOS activation, releasing eNOS from its inhibitory Caveolin-1 complex to generate nitric oxide. In isolated rat aortic rings and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, BPC-157 produced concentration-dependent vasodilation via exactly this pathway, blocked by L-NAME and hemoglobin — confirming NO as the mediator [1]. Third: Growth hormone receptor (GHR) upregulation on tendon fibroblasts. BPC-157 increased GHR expression up to sevenfold in rat tendon fibroblast cultures at 0.1–0.5 μg/mL, potentiating growth hormone-driven cell proliferation and activating JAK2 phosphorylation [2]. Additional documented pathways: FAK-paxillin activation promoting cell migration [3], JAK-2 / Egr-1 / NAB2 transcriptional cascades, and selective modulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic signaling. ## BPC-157 Molecular Structure and Origin Amino acid sequence (N to C terminus): Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val. The five-residue Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys core is structurally distinctive — the three consecutive prolines contribute to the peptide's unusual stability in gastric acid [5]. The parent BPC protein is endogenous — found in normal human gastric juice. The 15-AA fragment does not appear to be stored or secreted as a hormone; the research peptide is a synthetic analog of this fragment. Is BPC-157 derived from human gastric juice? Technically: the sequence is derived from a protein found in human gastric juice. The research compound is 100% synthetic. ## BPC-157 Regulatory and Sports Prohibition Status Regulatory status: Unapproved investigational compound in the United States. Classified as an unapproved new drug under US law. In April 2026, the FDA removed BPC-157 from the Category 2 compounding-restriction list — but this does not constitute approval. The compound remains investigational pending PCAC review scheduled for July 2026. Is BPC-157 banned by USADA or WADA for athletes? Yes. WADA prohibits BPC-157 under Section S0 — Non-Approved Substances. USADA enforces WADA rules for US Olympic and Paralympic athletes. NFL and UFC also apply this prohibition. No Therapeutic Use Exemption is available. ## The Research Record at a Glance Tissue types studied: Achilles tendon, medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, rotator cuff, bone defects, muscle crush injury, gastric mucosa, intestinal fistulas, liver, peripheral nerve, spinal cord, brain, and remote organs in ischemia-reperfusion models. Dose range across rodent models: 10 pg/kg to 200 μg/kg, with 10 μg/kg intraperitoneal and 10 ng/kg intraperitoneal as the most commonly used efficacy doses. Human data: Three small uncontrolled case reports. No Phase III trials have been completed [8]. ## References [1] Hsieh MJ, et al. Modulatory effects of BPC 157 on vasomotor tone and the Src-Caveolin-1-eNOS pathway. Sci Rep. 2020. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7555539/ [2] Chang CH, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Enhances the Growth Hormone Receptor Expression in Tendon Fibroblasts. Molecules. 2014;19(11). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6271067/ [3] Chang CH, et al. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing. J Appl Physiol. 2011;110(3):774-780. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21148156/ [5] Cerovecki T, et al. Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (PL 14736) improves ligament healing in the rat. J Orthop Res. 2010;28(9). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20225319/ [8] McGuire FP, et al. Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12446177/ --- Neon-lit readouts from the peer-reviewed BPC-157 record — every stat logged, every citation indexed, no clinic behind the terminal.