BPC-157 · research summary

Emerging Use of BPC-157 in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: A Systematic Review.

HSS journal : the musculoskeletal journal of Hospital for Special Surgery · 2025. Summary drawn from the study's full text. Each statement is followed by the exact sentence it comes from. This is a research summary, not medical advice.

Study type

Systematic review of English-language literature
“We conducted a systematic review of English-language literature, published from database inception to June 3, 2024, from PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase.”

Subjects

Preclinical models and one clinical study involving patients with chronic knee pain
“36 studies were included (35 preclinical studies, 1 clinical study).”

Sample size

36 studies included in the review
“After duplicates were removed, 36 studies were included (35 preclinical studies, 1 clinical study).”

Duration

Literature published from 1993 to 2024
“A total of 544 articles from 1993 to 2024 were identified.”

Reported findings

BPC-157 enhances growth hormone receptor expression and angiogenesis pathways while reducing inflammatory cytokines
“The studies suggest that BPC-157 enhances growth hormone receptor expression and several pathways involved in cell growth and angiogenesis, while reducing inflammatory cytokines.”
Preclinical models showed improved functional, structural, and biomechanical outcomes in musculoskeletal injuries
“In preclinical models, BPC-157 improved functional, structural, and biomechanical outcomes in muscle, tendon, ligament, and bony injuries.”
In a retrospective clinical study, 7 of 12 patients reported pain relief for more than 6 months
“In a retrospective study of musculoskeletal pain following intraarticular injection of BPC-157 for unspecified chronic knee pain, 7 of 12 patients reported relief for >6 months.”

Limitations stated by the authors

Lack of clinical safety data and potential risks from unregulated manufacturing
“Adverse effects are possible due to unregulated manufacturing, contamination, or unknown clinical safety.”

Source: PubMed 40756949 · DOI 10.1177/15563316251355551 · all study summaries

Reported findings

BPC-157 enhances growth hormone receptor expression and angiogenesis pathways while reducing inflammatory cytokines

“The studies suggest that BPC-157 enhances growth hormone receptor expression and several pathways involved in cell growth and angiogenesis, while reducing inflammatory cytokines.”

Preclinical models showed improved functional, structural, and biomechanical outcomes in musculoskeletal injuries

“In preclinical models, BPC-157 improved functional, structural, and biomechanical outcomes in muscle, tendon, ligament, and bony injuries.”

In a retrospective clinical study, 7 of 12 patients reported pain relief for more than 6 months

“In a retrospective study of musculoskeletal pain following intraarticular injection of BPC-157 for unspecified chronic knee pain, 7 of 12 patients reported relief for >6 months.”