Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 effective in healing of colocutaneous fistulas in rats
/ScienceDirect/2026
Why It Matters
This paper caught my attention because BPC 157 is widely sold as a recovery peptide online, but most evidence is from this same Croatian research group. This study shows wound healing effects in a severe injury model (essentially connections between colon and skin), but it's purely animal data with no dose-finding or comparison to standard treatments. The complete lack of human trials makes this interesting biology but not actionable health optimization.
Key Findings
- Rats with surgically-created colocutaneous fistulas treated with BPC 157 (10 μg/kg or 10 ng/kg) showed complete fistula closure, while control animals maintained patent fistulas
- Both intraperitoneal and local (per-oral) administration routes were effective, suggesting the peptide works systemically and at the injury site
- Treatment improved macroscopic and microscopic healing parameters including reduced inflammation, better epithelialization, and normalized tissue architecture
- The study used a severe injury model combining colon damage with skin wounds, testing healing in a complex tissue environment rather than simple cuts
- No safety concerns or adverse effects were reported at the tested doses in rats