Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury
/PMC/2026
Why It Matters
This paper caught my attention because spinal cord injury is devastating and treatment options are limited. BPC-157 showed measurable benefits in rats — reducing paralysis severity and improving limb function. But here's the reality check: this is animal data only. No human trials exist for spinal cord injury. The peptide isn't FDA-approved for any condition, and it's sold online as a 'research chemical' with zero quality control or safety data in humans.
Key Findings
- Rats given BPC-157 after spinal cord transection showed significantly reduced tissue damage and hemorrhaging at the injury site compared to controls
- Motor function improved in treated rats — they regained partial use of hind limbs while control animals remained paralyzed
- Histological analysis showed reduced formation of glial scars and evidence of nerve fiber regeneration in the BPC-157 group
- The peptide appeared to work through multiple mechanisms including reducing inflammation, promoting blood vessel formation, and protecting nerve cells from death
- Effects were dose-dependent and timing-dependent — earlier administration and higher doses showed better outcomes
Read the Paper↗PMC6604284