Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and the central nervous system

Neural Regeneration Research, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1673-5374.320969 · Published: March 1, 2022

Pharmacology Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

This review focuses on the effects of BPC 157 in central nervous system (CNS) pathology, with a specific focus on three very recent studies that highlight the essential role of the gut-brain axis in therapy application for CNS disorders. BPC 157 is a native gastric pentadecapeptide that is non-toxic and has profound cytoprotective activity; it has been used in ulcerative colitis and multiple sclerosis trials. BPC 157 exerts beneficial effects on stroke, schizophrenia, and spinal cord injury. Researchers have consistently demonstrated that BPC 157 exerts a myriad of beneficial effects throughout the body.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Rats

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
BPC 157 counteracted bilateral clamping of the common carotid arteries-induced stroke, sustained brain neuronal damages were resolved in rats as well as disturbed memory, locomotion, and coordination.
2
BPC 157 counteracts catalepsy induced by L-NAME and haloperidol as well as the deficits of acute and chronic rat models resembling “positive-like” schizophrenia symptoms.
3
After rat spinal cord compression, there were advanced healing and functional recovery (counteracted tail paralysis).

Research Summary

We reviewed the pleiotropic beneficial effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, three very recent demonstrations that may be essential in the gut-brain and brain-gut axis operation, and therapy application in the central nervous system disorders, in particular. Likewise, in BPC 157 therapy, there is specific support for each of these topics: counteracted encephalopathies; alleviated vascular occlusion disturbances (stroke); counteracted dopamine disturbances (dopamine receptors blockade, receptors super sensitivity development, or receptor activation, over-release, nigrostriatal damage, vesicles depletion), and nitric oxide-system disturbances (schizophrenia therapy); inflammation reduction, nerve recovery in addition to alleviated hemostasis and vessels function after compression (spinal cord injury therapy). In conclusion, BPC 157 exerts beneficial effects on stroke, schizophrenia, and spinal cord injury (Perovic et al., 2019; Vukojevic et al., 2020; Zemba Cilic et al., 2021).

Practical Implications

Stroke Therapy

BPC 157 may offer a novel therapeutic solution for stroke by ameliorating neuronal damage and promoting recovery without memory, locomotor, and coordination disturbances.

Schizophrenia Treatment

BPC 157's interactions with dopamine, glutamate, and nitric oxide suggest it may influence essential functions and counteract dysfunction underlying schizophrenia-like symptoms.

Spinal Cord Injury Recovery

BPC 157 has a marked therapeutic effect pertaining to the recovery of rats with a spinal cord injury with tail paralysis, attenuating damage and resulting in functional recovery.

Study Limitations

1
Animal models have possible limitations.
2
Additional studies are needed to clarify how potential BPC 157 therapy would specifically deal with a mechanism of action that involves multiple subcellular sites in the CNS.
3
The influence on the function of most, if not all, neuronal systems at the molecular, cellular, and systemic levels should be explored.

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