Brain-gut Axis and Pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Theoretical and Practical Implications

Abstract

BackgroundBrain-gut interaction involves, among others, peptidergic growth factors which are native in GI tract and have strong antiulcer potency and thus could from periphery beneficially affect CNS-disorders. We focused on the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, an antiulcer peptidergic agent, safe in inflammatory bowel disease trials and now in multiple sclerosis trial, native and stable in human gastric juice.MethodsReview of our research on BPC 157 in terms of brain-gut axis.ResultsBPC 157 may serve as a novel mediator of Robert’s cytoprotection, involved in maintaining of GI mucosa integrity, with no toxic effect. BPC 157 was successful in the therapy of GI tract, periodontitis, liver and pancreas lesions, and in the healing of various tissues and wounds. Stimulated Egr-1 gene, NAB2, FAK-paxillin and JAK-2 pathways are hitherto implicated. Initially corresponding beneficial central influence was seen when BPC 157 was given peripherally and a serotonin release in particular brain areas, mostly nigrostriatal, was changed. BPC 157 modulates serotonergic and dopaminergic systems, beneficially affects various behavioral disturbances that otherwise appeared due to specifically (over)stimulated/damaged neurotransmitters systems. Besides, BPC 157 has neuroprotective effects: protects somatosensory neurons; peripheral nerve regeneration appearent after transection; after traumatic brain injury counteracts the otherwise progressing course, in rat spinal cord compression with tail paralysis, axonal and neuronal necrosis, demyelination, cyst formation and rescues tail function in both short-terms and long-terms; after NSAIDs or insulin overdose or cuprizone encephalopathies were attenuated along with GI, liver and vascular injuries.ConclusionBPC 157, a gastric peptide, may serve as remedy in various CNS-disorders.

Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in honeybee (Apis mellifera) therapy, to control Nosema ceranae invasions in apiary conditions

“…Several molecular pathways are discussed as possible targets of BPC 157 (Cesarec et al, 2012;Chang, Tsai, Hsu, & Pang, 2014;Chang, Tsai, Lin, Hsu, & Pang, 2011;Hsieh et al, 2017;Huang et al, 2015;Tkalcevic et al, 2007). Thereby, BPC 157 was considered to be suitable for the extension of the beneficial effect to the entire gastrointestinal tract Sikiric et al, 2010Sikiric et al, , 2012Sikiric et al, , 2014Sikiric et al, , 2017Sikiric et al, 2011Sikiric et al, , 2013Sikiric et al, , 2016Duzel et al, 2017).…”

Stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 can improve the healing course of spinal cord injury and lead to functional recovery in rats

“…The pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (GEPPPGKPADDAGLV, M.W. 1419) (Diagen, Ljubljana, Slovenia) dissolved in 0.9% NaCl was used in all experiments [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]. The peptide BPC 157 is part of the sequence of the human gastric juice protein BPC and is freely soluble in water and 0.9% NaCl at pH 7.0.…”

“…In comparison, the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, an emerging treatment with potential therapeutic applications, appears to be unrestricted by the limitations seen in previous therapies. The stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, an original cytoprotective antiulcer peptide that is used in ulcerative colitis and recently in a multiple sclerosis trial and that has an LD1 that has not been achieved [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], is known to have pleiotropic beneficial effects [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] and to interact with several molecular pathways [2,[27][28][29][30][31][32]. BPC 157 has beneficial effects on inflammation, hemorrhage, and edema after traumatic brain injury [33], various severe encephalopathies (which follow gastrointestinal and/or liver lesions), NSAID overdose [34][35][36][37], or insulin overdose seizures [38] and on severe muscle weakness after exposure to the specific neurotoxin cuprizone in a rat multiple sclerosis model [39] or magnesium overdose [40].…”

EDITORIAL (Thematic Issue: Brain Gut Axis-New View)

“…Sikiric and collaborators [10] review the evidence that brain-gut axis is brain-gut interaction, and vice versa, the evidence that peptidergic growth factors, native in GI-tract with strong anti-ulcer potency would from periphery beneficially affect CNS-disorders, while the therapy purpose remains elusive. To realize brain-gut axis therapy they assumed Robert’s stomach cytoprotection, as a peripheral counterpart, agents involved there in maintained GI mucosa and endothelium integrity backing the other peripheral beneficial effects, and thereby, their beneficial effect in CNS-disorders.…”

“…They focused on the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as an anti-ulcer peptidergic agent, safe in inflammatory bowel disease clinical trials and now in multiple sclerosis trial, native and stable in human gastric juice, as a novel mediator of Robert’s cytoprotection, maintaining gastrointestinal mucosa integrity, with no toxicity being reported. Thereby, this study reviewed particular mechanisms behind BPC 157 as a prototype therapy in various CNS-disorders [10]. …”