The Study
The effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on hippocampal ischemia/reperfusion injuries in rats
This study tested a chemical on rats with a fake stroke and saw that the rats moved better and their brain cells looked healthier. But it doesn't prove the chemical fixes real strokes in people—it just shows what might happen in rats under a lab condition.
Analysis score
Maximum 72 for a cohort study.
Where the score came from
Scientists gave rats a tiny dose of a peptide called BPC 157 right after blocking blood flow to their brains. The peptide helped the rats remember better, walk better, and resist being pushed over.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 515 / 100
Quality score
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1If this works similarly in humans, it could mean a new way to protect the brain after a stroke by giving a simple peptide during treatment.
- 2Rats given BPC 157 showed full recovery in memory and movement tests, and had far fewer 'dead-looking' brain cells in the hippocampus at 24 and 72 hours.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Brain and Behavior
Year
2020
Authors
J. Vukojević, Borna Vrdoljak, D. Malekinušić, M. Siroglavić, M. Milavić, D. Kolenc, A. Boban Blagaić, L. Batelja, D. Drmic, Sven Seiverth, P. Sikiric
Related Content
Claims (5)
In rats subjected to restricted blood flow and restored circulation in the brain, injecting BPC 157 at the time of blood flow restoration does not change the activity level of the Mapk1 gene.
In rats suffering brain injury from interrupted and restored blood flow, BPC 157 treatment is linked to higher levels of two nitric oxide-producing enzymes associated with protection and lower levels of one associated with damage.
In male Wistar rats with induced brain ischemia and reperfusion injury, a single local dose of BPC 157 during reperfusion improves performance in memory and motor tests and decreases cell death in the hippocampus.
In rats suffering brain injury from restricted blood flow followed by restoration, injecting BPC 157 directly into the affected area during blood flow recovery is associated with increased activity of genes involved in neuroprotection and decreased activity of genes involved in inflammation.
In rats suffering brain injury from interrupted blood flow and subsequent restoration, treatment with BPC 157 results in fewer red neurons in the CA1 region of the hippocampus at 24 and 72 hours after blood flow returns.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.