Effective therapy of transected quadriceps muscle in rat: Gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157.

Abstract

We report complete transection of major muscle and the systemic peptide treatment that induces healing of quadriceps muscle promptly and then maintains the healing with functional restoration. Initially, stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (GEPPPGKPADDAGLV, M.W. 1419, PL-10, PLD-116, PL 14736 Pliva, Croatia; in trials for inflammatory bowel disease; wound treatment; no toxicity reported; effective alone without carrier) also superiorly accelerates the healing of transected Achilles tendon. Regularly, quadriceps muscle completely transected transversely 1.0 cm proximal to patella presents a definitive defect that cannot be compensated in rat. BPC 157 (10 microg, 10 ng, 10 pg/kg) is given intraperitoneally, once daily; the first application 30 min posttransection, the final 24 h before sacrifice. It consistently improves muscle healing throughout the whole 72-day period. Improved are: (i) biomechanic (load of failure increased); (ii) function (walking recovery and extensor postural thrust/motor function index returned toward normal healthy values); (iii) microscopy/immunochemistry [i.e., mostly muscle fibers connect muscle segments; absent gap; significant desmin positivity for ongoing regeneration of muscle; larger myofibril diameters on both sides, distal and proximal (normal healthy rat-values reached)]; (iv) macroscopic presentation (stumps connected; subsequently, atrophy markedly attenuated; finally, presentation close to normal noninjured muscle, no postsurgery leg contracture). Thus, posttransection healing-consistently improved-may suggest this peptide therapeutic application in muscle disorders.

• Authors: Mario Staresinic, Igor Petrovic, Tomislav Novinscak, Ivana Jukic, Damira Pevec, Slaven Suknaic, Neven Kokic, Lovorka Batelja, Luka Brcic, Alenka Boban-Blagaic, Zdenka Zoric, Domagoj Ivanovic, Marko Ajduk, Bozidar Sebecic, Leonardo Patrlj, Tomislav Sosa, Gojko Buljat, Tomislav Anic, Sven Seiwerth, Predrag Sikiric
• Journal: Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society (J Orthop Res) Vol. 24 Issue 5 Pg. 1109-17 (May 2006) ISSN: 0736-0266 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16609979 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society.

Chemical References

• Peptide Fragments
• Proteins
• BPC 157

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Biomechanical Phenomena
• Male
• Molecular Sequence Data
• Muscle, Skeletal (injuries, physiopathology)
• Peptide Fragments (therapeutic use)
• Proteins (therapeutic use)
• Rats
• Rats, Wistar
• Tendon Injuries (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Wound Healing (drug effects)