What Is Inflammation and Why Does It Persist?

When tissue injury occurs in the body, an innate part of our immune system is activated, stimulating the cascade responsible for what we call “inflammation.” Inflammation is a natural process that our bodies perform in response to tissue damage and is marked by five key indicators: redness, heat, pain, swelling, and loss of function [1]. This process is designed to protect the injured area from increased damage by increasing blood supply in that location. As blood supply increases, cells swell up, mobility decreases, the skin becomes warm, and movement of the area causes pain.

But what happens when the injury persists? When inflammation lasts for more than a few days after the initial injury, regardless of it being due to repeat injury of the area, lack of movement, or poor diet, persistent inflammation will ultimately damage the tissues located in areas of chronic inflammation [2].

Think of a city highway with grid-locked traffic. The road is the blood vessel, and the cars are the blood cells. The tissues that surround the blood vessels desperately need the oxygen and nutrients that the blood cells have to deliver, but due to the persistent inflammation, nothing can efficiently move. When this gridlock goes on for too long, the tissues and the cells that make them up begin to die.

What Is Angiogenesis and Why Is It Important?

So how can we solve this problem? The answer: angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is the process of creating new blood vessels called capillaries [3]. Capillaries are responsible for exchanging oxygen and other nutrients through the cell membrane of the cell that needs them. To effectively relieve the “highway congestion” that inflammation causes, we need new exit ramps to handle the traffic.

How BPC-157 Supports Angiogenesis

This is where BPC-157 comes in. BPC-157 is a peptide modeled after a naturally occurring protein in the gastrointestinal tract called “Body Protection Compound.” According to a study performed by Hsieh, MJ., et al., BPC-157 can positively enhance the ability to create new capillaries through the process of “sprouting” [3].

The experiment examined the difference between the normal blood vessel growth in the membrane of a chicken egg compared to an egg treated with a BPC-157 solution. Researchers found, “The pro-angiogenic effect of BPC-157 was determined by CAM assay. The in vivo angiogenesis observed on the membrane of a chick embryo was found to be promoted in the presence of BPC-157. As compared to control, 129 ± 7 and 152 ± 14% increased number of vessel branches was induced by treatment with 0.01 and 0.1 μg BPC 157, respectively (Fig. 1b) [3].”

Scientific Backing: A Case for BPC-157

Based on this observed effect, BPC-157 shows promise in treating areas of injury subject to chronic inflammation. Utilizing BPC-157 may support the creation of new blood vessels within areas of chronic injury, helping remove toxic inflammatory metabolites and supplying the area of injury with the nutrients that the cells need to heal.

Final Thoughts

Chronic injuries and persistent inflammation can feel like an impossible barrier to overcome. Research into BPC-157 offers promising insights into how we can support the body's natural healing processes and improve recovery outcomes. With its potential to enhance recovery, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair, BPC-157 represents an exciting advancement in therapeutic care.

Take steps to learn more about the science behind peptides and their role in recovery, and discover how innovative approaches like this are transforming our understanding of healing.

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Citations

[1] Hannoodee S, Nasuruddin DN. Acute Inflammatory Response. [Updated 2024 Jun 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK556083/ 

[2] Pahwa R, Goyal A, Jialal I.  StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; Treasure Island (FL): Aug 7, 2023. Chronic Inflammation.

‍[3] Hsieh, MJ., Liu, HT., Wang, CN. et al. Therapeutic potential of pro-angiogenic BPC157 is associated with VEGFR2 activation and up-regulation. J Mol Med 95, 323–333 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00109-016-1488-y