BPC-157: research protocol, dosing & reconstitution
Also known as: Body Protection Compound 157, Bepecin
Quick answer
What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 is a synthetic peptide fragment derived from a protective protein found in stomach juice. In animal research it is studied for accelerating the repair of tendons, ligaments, muscle, and the gut lining. It is one of the most searched research peptides in the recovery category.
What BPC-157 is
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound 157) is a chain of 15 amino acidsAmino acidThe chemical building block of peptides and proteins. Peptides are short chains of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.See glossary → based on a fragment of a protein naturally present in human gastric juice. Because it comes from a protective stomach protein, much of the early research focused on gut healing; later animal work extended to tendons, ligaments, and muscle.
It is supplied as a lyophilizedLyophilizedFreeze-dried. Peptides are shipped as a lyophilized powder ('puck') because the dry form is far more stable than a solution. It must be reconstituted before use in research.See glossary → powder in research vialsVialThe small sealed glass container peptides are supplied in, topped with a rubber septum that a syringe needle can pass through.See glossary →, most commonly 5 mg or 10 mg, and reconstitutedReconstitutionThe process of mixing a freeze-dried (lyophilized) peptide powder with bacteriostatic water to create a solution of known concentration.See glossary → with bacteriostatic waterBAC water (bacteriostatic water)Sterile water containing 0.9% benzyl alcohol, which suppresses bacterial growth. It is the standard diluent used to reconstitute lyophilized peptides for multi-dose research vials.See glossary → before use in research settings.
Mechanism of action
In animal models, BPC-157 has been observed to promote angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), upregulate growth-factor receptorsReceptorA protein on or inside a cell that binds specific signaling molecules and triggers a response. Most peptides work by binding particular receptors.See glossary → involved in tissue repair, and enhance fibroblast migration — the cells that rebuild connective tissue. A 2011 study in the Journal of Applied Physiology reported that BPC-157 accelerated tendon fibroblast outgrowth, cell survival, and migration in vitro [1].
Research groups led by Sikiric have also reported protective effects across the gastrointestinal tract in rodent models, including healing of ulcers and fistulas [2]. Human clinical data remains extremely limited — nearly all published evidence is preclinical.
What researchers study BPC-157 for
- Tendon, ligament, and muscle injury repair in rodent models
- Gastrointestinal protection and gut-lining repair
- Wound healing and blood-vessel formation (angiogenesis)
- Interactions with the nitric-oxide system
What dose of BPC-157 do researchers use?
Research literature commonly references doses of 250–500 mcg, once or twice daily. This is not a recommendation — the table below summarizes protocols as they appear in published literature and trial designs.
| Context | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General recovery research (literature reference) | 250 mcg | Once or twice daily | 2–4 weeks, reassessed |
| Higher-range reference | 500 mcg | Once or twice daily | 4–8 weeks |
← Swipe to see the full table
Half-life and dosing timing
Half-life: ~4 hours (short). Route referenced in research: Subcutaneous or oral (research). With a short half-lifeHalf-lifeHow long it takes for half of a compound to be eliminated from the body. Half-life determines how often researchers dose a compound in protocols.See glossary → of roughly 4 hours, research protocols reference once- or twice-daily administration to maintain exposure. Split AM/PM dosing appears frequently in the literature-derived protocols.
Titration: start low, go slow
Protocols in the literature typically start at the low end (250 mcgMicrogram (mcg / µg)One millionth of a gram, or one thousandth of a milligram. Most peptide research doses are measured in micrograms.See glossary → once daily) and hold for several days before increasing to twice daily or to 500 mcg — the standard start-low, go-slow pattern used to assess tolerance.
Skip the BPC-157 math
Enter vial size, water volume, and target dose — the free calculator returns concentration, injection volume, and exact U-100 syringe units.
How is BPC-157 reconstituted?
| Vial size | BAC water | Concentration | Worked example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 mg | 2 mL | 2,500 mcg/mL | 250 mcg = 0.1 mL = 10 units on a U-100 syringe |
| 10 mg | 2 mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 250 mcg = 0.05 mL = 5 units on a U-100 syringe |
Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 5 mg vial: 5 mg ÷ 2 mL = 2.5 mg/mL, i.e. 2,500 mcg per mL. A 250 mcg dose is 250 ÷ 2,500 = 0.1 mL — 10 units on a U-100 insulin syringeU-100 syringeAn insulin syringe calibrated so that 100 units equal 1 mL. The standard syringe referenced in peptide research; each unit equals 0.01 mL.See glossary →.
New to the process? Read the full step-by-step reconstitution guide.
How long does reconstituted BPC-157 last?
Lyophilized: refrigerated, stable roughly 12–18 months (2+ years frozen). After reconstitution with bacteriostatic water: refrigerate at 2–8°C; commonly referenced as stable for about 60 days. Keep away from light and avoid shaking the vial vigorously.
What is BPC-157 stacked with in research?
BPC-157 is most often paired with TB-500 in recovery research — the combination is known informally as the 'Wolverine stackPeptide stackTwo or more peptides used together in a research protocol because their mechanisms are complementary — for example, BPC-157 with TB-500.See glossary →.' The rationale: BPC-157's local repair signaling complements TB-500's systemic cell-migration effects.
Side effects observed in research
Reported effects in research contexts are generally mild: injection-site irritation, occasional mild nausea, and uncommon headache. Long-term human safety data does not exist — a fact worth stating plainly.
- Injection-site irritation
- Mild nausea
- Headache (uncommon)
Frequently asked questions
What dose of BPC-157 do researchers use?
Research literature commonly references 250–500 mcg once or twice daily. This is not a recommendation — it is a description of published and community-referenced research protocols.
How long does reconstituted BPC-157 last in the fridge?
Reconstituted with bacteriostatic water and kept at 2–8°C, BPC-157 is commonly referenced as stable for about 60 days.
Is BPC-157 approved by Health Canada?
No. BPC-157 is not an approved drug in Canada or the US. It is sold strictly as a Research Use Only compound.
What is the Wolverine stack?
The informal name for combining BPC-157 with TB-500 in recovery research, pairing local tissue-repair signaling with systemic cell-migration effects.
Related research peptides
TB-500
A synthetic version of a region of Thymosin Beta-4, studied for cell migration, angiogenesis and tissue repair.
Growth Hormone SecretagogueCJC-1295
A growth-hormone-releasing hormone analog studied for stimulating GH release; often blended with Ipamorelin.
Growth Hormone SecretagogueIpamorelin
A selective ghrelin-receptor agonist / GH secretagogue studied for stimulating GH with minimal effect on cortisol or prolactin.
Browse all Healing & Recovery peptides or start with the beginner’s guide to research peptides.
References
- 1.Chang CH, et al. The promoting effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on tendon healing involves tendon outgrowth, cell survival, and cell migration. J Appl Physiol. 2011. PubMed ↗
- 2.Sikiric P, et al. Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157: novel therapy in gastrointestinal tract. Curr Pharm Des. 2011. PubMed ↗