BPC 157 therapy to detriment sphincter dysfunction in rats

This early study conducted by Predrag Sikiric's group at the University of Zagreb was one of the first to systematically document the therapeutic effects of BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157), a 15-amino acid pentadecapeptide derived from the BPC protein isolated from human gastric juice. The research evaluated the effects of the peptide on sphincter dysfunction in an animal model (rats).

BPC-157 was administered at doses in the microgram and nanogram range via intraperitoneal and intragastric routes, demonstrating efficacy through both routes of administration — a remarkable feature, as most peptides are degraded in the gastrointestinal tract. The results showed significant improvement in sphincter function and accelerated tissue healing in treated animals compared to controls.

Mechanistically, the study suggested that BPC-157 acts through modulation of the nitric oxide (NO) system, stimulation of angiogenesis, and regulation of growth factors involved in tissue repair. The peptide demonstrated consistent cytoprotective activity, protecting the mucosa and adjacent tissues against experimentally induced damage.

The historical importance of this work lies in the fact that it was one of the foundational publications that established BPC-157 as a peptide with significant regenerative potential. The findings catalyzed dozens of subsequent studies by the same group and independent laboratories, investigating the effects of BPC-157 on tendons, muscles, bones, brain, and cardiovascular system — consolidating it as one of the most studied research peptides in preclinical literature.