LABORATORY RESEARCH DISCLAIMER FOR IN-VITRO LABORATORY RESEARCH USE ONLY. This technical monograph is prepared exclusively for qualified laboratory researchers. BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) has not been approved by the United States FDA or international regulatory authorities for human clinical use, diagnosis, or treatment. Under no circumstances should this document be construed as medical advice or human dosing guidance.
Introduction and Chemical Profile
Body Protection Compound-157 (BPC-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide derived from a cytoprotective protein sequence found in gastric juice. Evaluated in preclinical models of mucosal defense and tissue repair, BPC-157 is categorized under Protective Peptides.
Unlike conventional signaling peptides that degrade rapidly in biological fluids, BPC-157 possesses high structural stability. Its conformation, rich in proline residues, offers steric protection against enzymatic and acidic cleavage.
Physicochemical Profile
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Compound Name | Body Protection Compound-157 (BPC-157) |
| CAS Registry Number | 137525-51-0 |
| Molecular Weight | 1419.53 Da |
| Molecular Formula | C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂ |
| Primary Sequence | Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val |
| Residue Count | 15 Amino Acids (Pentadecapeptide) |
| Physical Appearance | White lyophilized solid |
| In-Vitro Half-Life | ~24 hours in research models |
The sequence features four proline residues, including a continuous Pro-Pro-Pro cluster. This confers conformational rigidity, inhibiting cleavage by endopeptidases. In physiological research models, BPC-157 exhibits a relatively short biological half-life of approximately 24 hours.
Gastric Acid Stability Profile
A defining property of BPC-157 is its stability in gastric acid. While typical linear peptides hydrolyze rapidly at low pH, in-vitro assays show that BPC-157 remains structurally intact in simulated gastric juice (pH 1.0–2.0) with pepsin for over 24 hours at 37°C. However, aqueous peptide solutions remain sensitive to heat and light, requiring cold-chain preservation post-reconstitution.
Laboratory Reconstitution Protocol
Reconstitution dissolves lyophilized peptide powder into a sterile solvent for precise pipetting. Aseptic protocol prevents denaturation, shear fragmentation, and microbial growth.
Equipment and Reagents
- Lyophilized BPC-157 vial (2 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg)
- Bacteriostatic Water (sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol, USP)
- Sterile 3 mL syringe with 21G–25G needle for solvent transfer
- Low dead-space U-100 insulin syringes (29G–31G) for sample withdrawal
- Sterile 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) prep pads
- Laminar flow cabinet or clean bench
Step-by-Step Procedure
- Thermal Equilibration: Allow the lyophilized vial to equilibrate from -20°C to room temperature (20°C–25°C) for 20–30 minutes unopened. Opening cold vials invites condensation, initiating hydrolytic degradation.
- Septum Disinfection: Remove protective caps from both vials. Clean rubber stoppers with 70% IPA pads and allow them to air-dry for 30 seconds.
- Diluent Aspiration: Draw sterile air equal to the target diluent volume into the syringe, inject into the bacteriostatic water vial, and withdraw the volume.
- Controlled Wall Dispensing: Insert the needle into the BPC-157 vial at a 45-degree angle against the inner glass wall. Depress the plunger slowly so diluent trickles down the glass. Do not squirt diluent directly onto the powder cake.
- Pressure Normalization: Equalize residual vial vacuum by letting the plunger stabilize before withdrawing the needle.
- Gentle Dissolution: Swirl the vial gently in circular motions or roll between palms. Never shake or vortex, as agitation denatures peptide chains and creates foam.
- Optical Inspection: Inspect the solution under bright light. The liquid must be completely clear, colorless, and particulate-free.
Reconstitution Tables and Dilution Mathematics
Peptide concentration is calculated using standard dilution mathematics:
Concentration (mg/mL) = Peptide Mass (mg) ÷ Diluent Volume (mL)
Conversion benchmarks:
- 1.0 mg/mL = 1,000 mcg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL (10 IU)
- 2.0 mg/mL = 2,000 mcg/mL = 200 mcg per 0.1 mL (10 IU)
- 2.5 mg/mL = 2,500 mcg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL (10 IU)
To calculate custom dilution ratios, use the interactive PepDad Peptide Reconstitution Calculator.
Reconstitution Matrix (2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg Vials)
| Vial Mass | BAC Water Volume | Concentration (mg/mL) | Concentration (mcg/mL) | Yield per 0.1 mL (10 IU) | Target Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 mg | 1.0 mL | 2.0 mg/mL | 2,000 mcg/mL | 200 mcg | Micro-volume assay titrations |
| 2 mg | 2.0 mL | 1.0 mg/mL | 1,000 mcg/mL | 100 mcg | Baseline analytical dilution |
| 5 mg | 2.0 mL | 2.5 mg/mL | 2,500 mcg/mL | 250 mcg | Standard cell-culture assays |
| 5 mg | 2.5 mL | 2.0 mg/mL | 2,000 mcg/mL | 200 mcg | Standard integer aliquots |
| 10 mg | 2.0 mL | 5.0 mg/mL | 5,000 mcg/mL | 500 mcg | Concentrated master stock |
| 10 mg | 5.0 mL | 2.0 mg/mL | 2,000 mcg/mL | 200 mcg | Serial dilution series |
Syringe Draw Reference (U-100 Calibration)
Standard U-100 insulin syringes are calibrated to 100 units per 1.0 mL (1 unit = 0.01 mL = 10 µL). The table below maps syringe graduations to microgram yields:
| Syringe Units | Volume (mL / µL) | 1.0 mg/mL Stock | 2.0 mg/mL Stock | 2.5 mg/mL Stock | 5.0 mg/mL Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Units | 0.05 mL (50 µL) | 50 mcg | 100 mcg | 125 mcg | 250 mcg |
| 10 Units | 0.10 mL (100 µL) | 100 mcg | 200 mcg | 250 mcg | 500 mcg |
| 20 Units | 0.20 mL (200 µL) | 200 mcg | 400 mcg | 500 mcg | 1,000 mcg |
| 30 Units | 0.30 mL (300 µL) | 300 mcg | 600 mcg | 750 mcg | 1,500 mcg |
| 50 Units | 0.50 mL (500 µL) | 500 mcg | 1,000 mcg | 1,250 mcg | 2,500 mcg |
Storage Conditions and Stability Guidelines
Adhere to the following parameters to protect peptide integrity against hydrolysis and photodegradation:
Storage Parameters
| Physical State | Storage Temp | Stability Window | Storage Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized | -20°C to -80°C | 24 to 36 Months | Optimal stability; sealed with desiccant. |
| Lyophilized | 2°C to 8°C | 6 to 12 Months | Short-term storage; protect from moisture. |
| Lyophilized | 20°C to 25°C | 30 to 60 Days | Ambient shipping tolerance; avoid heat. |
| Reconstituted (BAC) | 2°C to 8°C | 21 to 28 Days | Preserved with benzyl alcohol; store upright in dark. |
| Reconstituted (Frozen) | -20°C to -80°C | 3 to 6 Months | Aliquot into single-use tubes; avoid refreezing. |
Degradation Mitigation
- Avoid Freeze-Thaw Cycles: Ice crystals shear peptide backbones. Divide solutions into single-use microcentrifuge tubes before initial freezing. Once thawed, do not refreeze.
- Light Protection: Store vials in light-resistant amber containers or foil wrapping to prevent photodegradation.
- Sterility Lifecycle: Discard reconstituted solutions after 28 days to prevent micro-contamination from recurrent septal punctures.
Research Reference Tools
Precision in reconstitution and dilution calculations is essential for reproducible in-vitro research. For automated dilution adjustments and syringe volume conversions, use the interactive PepDad Peptide Reconstitution Calculator.