BPC-157, TB-500, GHK-Cu (Glow Blend)

BPC-157 + TB500 (Thymosin Beta 4) + GHK-Cu Blend

BPC-157, TB500, and GHK-Cu are, separately, some of the most potent anti-inflammatory peptides that have been investigated. Each of these peptides has been found to promote wound healing, slow tissue decay, promote muscle and tendon growth, alter DNA expression patterns, and even thwart the effects of aging. Despite their similar properties, however, each of these peptides works in a different way to bring about its various effects. Thus, logic would dictate that using these peptides in conjunction with one another could result in synergies in each of the areas mentioned above.

To aid in research into the combined effects of these peptides, a BPC-157 + TB500 (Thymosin Beta 4) + GHK-Cu Blend has been created. This blend makes ordering, storage, dosing, and administration of these peptides easier, allowing researchers to focus on measuring outcomes and designing experiments rather than creating protocols for administering multiple individual peptides.

What follows is a look at how BPC-157, TB500, and GHK-Cu might work in conjunction and why they might produce synergistic (i.e. enhanced effects) when used in combination. This overview will likely provide some guidance on what animal studies using these peptides in combination might uncover and where scientists should expect to see results.

BPC-157: Biochemistry

BPC-157 is a penta-decapeptide derived from the naturally occurring Body Protective Compound (BPC). BPC was originally derived from human gastric contents and has been shown to have potent anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. Animal studies have indicated benefit in the GI tract, liver, pancreas, ligaments, muscles, tendons, cornea, heart, brain, and nerves.

The precise way in which BPC-157 produces its effects is still not clearly understood. For instance, it isn’t clear if the peptide binds to a cell surface receptor to produce its effects or if it is transported into the cell and perhaps has effects directly at the level of the DNA. A few things about BPC-157 have become clear from the research, however. First, BPC-157 has profound effects on nitric oxide (NO) signaling. Many of its properties are thought to relate, in some way, to the ability of BPC-157 to influence NO signaling at the levels of eNOS expression.

Second, BPC-157 is rapidly absorbed and distributed throughout the body. Research shows that 10 minutes after administration, BPC-157 can be found relatively evenly spread throughout the body including kidney, liver, stomach wall, thymus, gonads, and spleen. Peak levels of the peptide are achieved in tissue approximately 1 hour after administration and then slowly decline over the next 48 hours [1]. Levels tend to me highest in kidney, liver, thymus, and spleen with slightly lower levels in lung, muscle, brain, and skin.

The third thing that can be concluded about the biochemistry of BPC-157 is that it alters gene expression patterns. Again, the mechanism by which this occurs has yet to be elucidated, but the peptide definitely alters expression patterns of:

• Egr,
• Nos (especially eNos),
• Srf,
• Vegr,
• Plcγ, and
• Kras.

These genes control the synthesis of a number of factors that affect cells of blood vessels and the immune system such as adhesion, thrombosis, and inflammatory responses. The levels of each gene increased or decreased based on the timeframe following administration of BPC-157. This suggests that BPC-157 is working through a regulatory mechanism that has fine-grained control over a wide array of genes and their expression.

An Overview of the complex actions of BPC-157 in the body. Note the profound effects on NO signaling and VEGF expression as well as several impacts on inflammatory cytokines.
Source: MDPI

It is important to return to the fact that one of the major actions of BPC-157 (if not THE major action) is in nitric oxide (NO) signaling. Research shows that BPC counteracts the deleterious effects of L-NAME, which has been known to cause ulceration in the GI tract. Additionally, BPC-157 has been shown to positively influence nitric oxide synthase (NOS and especially eNOS), leading to increased expression of several antioxidant enzymes, such as heme oxygenase (HO-1). At the same time, nitric oxide (NO) produced by NOS plays a dual role. While it can exhibit cytotoxic effects, it also contributes to immune responses and is essential for the functioning and development of neurons. NO can directly bind to the heme group in NOS, initiating a variety of chemical and biochemical processes. These include NO deoxygenation, which is linked to its scavenging and vasoconstrictive effects—particularly relevant in conditions like hemolytic disorders—as well as the S-nitrosylation of hemoglobin, a process implicated in lung injury and associated with elevated red blood cell production[2].

TB500: Biochemistry

TB500 is a derivative of thymosin beta-4, a naturally occurring protein with known anti-inflammatory and tissue healing properties. Like thymosin beta-4, TB500 primarily works to bind actin and regulate gene expression. It has shown benefits in heart health, muscle repair, immune regulation, and the central nervous system. It even has been shown to promote hair growth and to fight the effects of aging.

TB500 has two primary mechanisms of action. First, within the cell TB500 works to sequester actin and thus regulate everything from cell motility to growth and division. This role is critical to everything from wound healing to the movement of cells of the immune system to where they are needed. Boosting cell motility via TB500 administration has been shown to accelerate wound healing, reduce inflammation, and promote blood vessel growth.

The second role of TB500, which is sometimes referred to as moonlighting, is to regulate inflammation through changes in gene expression patterns rather than via actin sequestration. Research shows that TB500 alters the expression of genes involved in nitric oxide synthesis, blood vessel growth, cell proliferation, and more. These effects, in fact, are very similar to the downstream effects of BPC-157 discussed in the previous section. TB500 essentially alters the secretion patterns of various cytokines and plays a key role in modulating multiple signaling pathways related to the inflammatory response. It helps reduce inflammation by regulating the NF-κB and Toll-like receptor pathways and by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-1 receptor-associated kinases. TB500 also activates a number of tissue repair pathways including PI3K/Akt/eNOS, Notch, and angiopoietin-1/Tie2 to support regeneration. Additionally, it modulates the TGF-β pathway to reduce fibrosis (i.e. scarring). There is even evidence showing that TB500 influences Wnt signaling to promote the formation of hair follicles and boost hair growth at the level of DNA[3]. The diagram below offers some insight into the complex and wide-ranging influences of TB500.