Comparison · Updated
BPC-157 VS TB-500
Short answer
BPC-157 and TB-500 have the same evidence tier: both are tier C (Animal data).
Neither BPC-157 nor TB-500 is FDA-approved.
BPC-157 is prohibited in sport by WADA under section S0; TB-500 is prohibited in sport by WADA under section S2.
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Side by side
| Field | BPC-157 | TB-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence tier | C Tier C · Animal data | C Tier C · Animal data |
| Tier rationale | Evidence is predominantly from rodent studies; human data are limited to a small retrospective pilot report, and a registered phase 1 trial posted no results. | No human trials of TB-500 itself; supporting data come from animal studies and from research on full-length thymosin β4. |
| FDA status | Not approvedFDA has flagged BPC-157 as a bulk substance with potential safety risks for compounding. | Not approved |
| Other approvals | None listed | None listed |
| WADA | Prohibited · S0Non-approved substances | Prohibited · S2Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances and mimetics |
| Family | Repair | Repair |
| Residues | Not on file | Not on file |
| Molecular weight | Not on file | Not on file |
| Formula | Not on file | Not on file |
| Discovered | Not on file | Not on file |
| Routes studied | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular | Subcutaneous, Intramuscular |
| Mechanism | BPC-157 activates the FAK-paxillin pathway and upregulates VEGFR2 expression, promoting angiogenesis and accelerating tendon-to-bone healing. It modulates the nitric oxide (NO) system and has cytoprotective effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa through interaction with the dopamine and serotonin systems. | TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment) sequesters G-actin monomers and promotes actin polymerization, which drives cell migration and wound healing. It upregulates cell surface integrins and promotes angiogenesis, enabling new blood vessel formation at injury sites. |
| Safety notes | Generally well-tolerated in animal studies with a wide therapeutic window. | Limited human safety data. |
| Cited studies | 0 studies | 0 studies |
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Questions
- Which has stronger evidence, BPC-157 or TB-500?
- BPC-157 and TB-500 have the same evidence tier: both are tier C (Animal data). BPC-157: Evidence is predominantly from rodent studies; human data are limited to a small retrospective pilot report, and a registered phase 1 trial posted no results. TB-500: No human trials of TB-500 itself; supporting data come from animal studies and from research on full-length thymosin β4. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness.
- Is BPC-157 FDA-approved?
- BPC-157 is not FDA-approved. FDA has flagged BPC-157 as a bulk substance with potential safety risks for compounding.
- Is TB-500 FDA-approved?
- TB-500 is not FDA-approved.
- Are BPC-157 and TB-500 banned in sport?
- BPC-157 is prohibited in sport by WADA under section S0; TB-500 is prohibited in sport by WADA under section S2.
- How do BPC-157 and TB-500 work?
- BPC-157 activates the FAK-paxillin pathway and upregulates VEGFR2 expression, promoting angiogenesis and accelerating tendon-to-bone healing. TB-500 (thymosin beta-4 fragment) sequesters G-actin monomers and promotes actin polymerization, which drives cell migration and wound healing.