Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 May Counteract Myocardial Infarction
/PMC/2026
Why It Matters
This paper caught my attention because BPC-157 is widely discussed in optimization circles, but the evidence is almost entirely preclinical. These are rat studies showing cardiac protection through multiple mechanisms—interesting biology, but zero human data on heart attacks. The cardiovascular claims you see online are extrapolating from rodents.
Key Findings
- In rats with induced heart attacks, BPC-157 treatment reduced infarct size (dead heart tissue area) by 30-40% compared to untreated controls across multiple experimental models
- The peptide appeared to work by promoting angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and stabilizing endothelial function, improving collateral blood flow to oxygen-starved heart tissue
- BPC-157 reduced severe arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) that commonly follow myocardial infarction in rat models, suggesting membrane-stabilizing effects
- Protective effects were observed whether BPC-157 was given before or shortly after the induced heart attack, with dosing in the microgram per kilogram range
- The mechanism appears linked to the NO (nitric oxide) pathway—BPC-157's benefits were blocked when researchers inhibited NO synthesis, suggesting it works partly through vascular signaling
Read the Paper↗PMC8869603