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Quality in Sport

BPC-157 and GHK-Cu in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Safety
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  • BPC-157 and GHK-Cu in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Safety
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BPC-157 and GHK-Cu in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Safety

Authors

  • Olaf Wojcieszuk Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7006-3494
  • Łukasz Starczewski Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2258-4885
  • Adrianna Babik Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2421-499X
  • Kamila Kamińska Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1721-4431
  • Matylda Będkowska-Kuśmierek Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2707-2167
  • Anna Złotnik Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0000-9011-7488
  • Kinga Krzysztofik Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0004-0184-8940
  • Antoni Klamka Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4278-0168
  • Paulina Kawalec Medical University of Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5896-3444
  • Kamil Bronikowski Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2402-0821

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2026.54.70818

Keywords

BPC-157, GHK-Cu, wound healing, tissue repair, peptide therapy, regenerative medicine, angiogenesis, collagen synthesis, clinical safety, sports medicine

Abstract

Background: BPC-157 and GHK-Cu are synthetic peptides with potential in tissue repair, influencing molecular mechanisms in healing, angiogenesis and inflammation.

Objective: This review synthesizes preclinical and clinical research on BPC-157 and GHK-Cu efficacy and safety in wound healing and tissue repair, examining mechanistic pathways and translational potential in clinical and sports medicine.

Methods: Literature searches of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library included studies on wound healing, tissue regeneration, safety and clinical uses of BPC-157 and GHK-Cu without publication date restrictions.

Results: Preclinical studies show BPC-157 promotes skin, tendon, muscle and bone healing via specific signaling pathways and growth factor upregulation. GHK-Cu enhances collagen/elastin synthesis, angiogenesis and fibroblast migration. Limited human trials evaluated BPC-157 for knee pain and IV safety, while GHK-Cu showed promise in skin quality trials. Both appear safe but lack comprehensive RCTs.

Conclusion: BPC-157 and GHK-Cu show therapeutic potential in wound healing, though evidence is largely preclinical. Extensive human trials are needed to establish clinical efficacy. This review provides groundwork for future research and highlights safety for sports medicine practitioners.

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Quality in Sport

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Published

2026-04-21

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WOJCIESZUK, Olaf, STARCZEWSKI, Łukasz, BABIK, Adrianna, KAMIŃSKA, Kamila, BĘDKOWSKA-KUŚMIEREK, Matylda, ZŁOTNIK, Anna, KRZYSZTOFIK, Kinga, KLAMKA, Antoni, KAWALEC, Paulina and BRONIKOWSKI, Kamil. BPC-157 and GHK-Cu in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: A Review of Clinical Efficacy and Safety. Quality in Sport. Online. 21 April 2026. Vol. 54, p. 70818. [Accessed 22 April 2026]. DOI 10.12775/QS.2026.54.70818.
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Vol. 54 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Olaf Wojcieszuk, Łukasz Starczewski, Adrianna Babik, Kamila Kamińska, Matylda Będkowska-Kuśmierek, Anna Złotnik, Kinga Krzysztofik, Antoni Klamka, Paulina Kawalec, Kamil Bronikowski

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