Although it may be relatively new to you, BPC-157 has actually been around the scientific research community for quite a while. It was first introduced and overviewed in the Journal of Physiology back in 1993. BPC-157, or Body Protection Compound 157, is a fragment of a protein found in gastric juice. Its tissue-regenerative ability isn’t limited to our stomachs, however. In fact, BPC-157 has been found to promote increased healing and repair in nearly every kind of tissue in which it has been studied.

Currently, it is known that BPC-157 circulates systemically whether it is taken orally or injected subcutaneously. We also know that it is attracted to signalling molecules produced by injured tissues, yet the exact mechanism with which it heals is not known for certain and likely varies depending on the particular tissue and nature of the injury. Although the mechanism(s) of action are not fully understood, the scientific literature has identified some potential sources of this compound’s healing power, including its effect on the FAK-paxillin pathway (focal adhesion kinase – an enzyme present in injured tissues), nitric oxide, increased VEGF activity (vascular endothelial growth factor), and the upregulation of growth hormone receptors in injured tissues. VEGF specifically is responsible for angiogenesis, or the creation of new blood vessels and is the most likely mechanism by which BPC-157 is able to promote the healing of joint structures, tendons, and ligaments as it allows for an increased delivery of nutrients and various healing factors that are required for growth and repair. Most joint structures, ligaments, and tendons are composed primarily of different kinds of collagen and their healing can benefit from the increases in collagen production stimulated by BPC-157.