Modulatory effect of gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on angiogenesis in muscle and tendon healing

J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009 Dec:60 Suppl 7:191-6.

Abstract

Angiogenesis is a natural and complex process controlled by angiogenic and angiostatic molecules, with a central role in healing process. One of the most important modulating factors in angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 promotes healing demonstrating particular angiogenic/angiomodulatory potential. We correlated the angiogenic effect of BPC 157 with VEGF expression using in vitro (cell culture) and in vivo (crushed muscle and transected muscle and tendon) models. Results revealed that there is no direct angiogenic effect of BPC 157 on cell cultures. On the other hand, immunohistochemical analysis of muscle and tendon healing using VEGF, CD34 and FVIII antibodies showed adequately modulated angiogenesis in BPC 157 treated animals, resulting in a more adequate healing. Therefore the angiogenic potential of BPC 157 seems to be closely related to the healing process in vivo with BPC 157 stimulating angiogenesis by up-regulating VEGF expression.

MeSH terms

  • Achilles Tendon / drug effects*
  • Achilles Tendon / injuries
  • Angiogenesis Modulating Agents / pharmacology
  • Angiogenesis Modulating Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Line
  • Factor VIII / metabolism
  • Hindlimb
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Peptide Fragments / pharmacology
  • Peptide Fragments / therapeutic use*
  • Proteins / pharmacology
  • Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Quadriceps Muscle / drug effects*
  • Quadriceps Muscle / injuries
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Wound Healing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Modulating Agents
  • Antigens, CD34
  • Biomarkers
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
  • BPC 157
  • Factor VIII