Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a Therapy of Severe Electrolyte Disturbances in Rats.

Abstract

This review explores the therapeutic potential of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 in addressing electrolyte imbalances, specifically hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypermagnesemia, and hyperlithemia. In hyperkalemia, BPC 157 demonstrated a comprehensive counteractive effect against KCl overdose (intraperitoneally, intragastrically, and in vitro), effectively mitigating symptoms such as muscular weakness, hypertension, sphincter dysfunction, arrhythmias, and lethality. It also counteracted the adverse effects of succinylcholine and magnesium overdose, including systemic muscle paralysis, arrhythmias, and hyperkalemia. In hypokalemia, BPC 157 (administered prophylactically or therapeutically, intraperitoneally or intragastrically) prevented fatal outcomes and addressed furosemide-induced hypokalemia, ECG changes, AV conduction block, ventricular arrhythmias, and skeletal muscle myoclonus. Following magnesium overdose, BPC 157 alleviated muscle weakness, brain lesions, and hyperkalemia-induced complications. In vitro studies (HEK293 cells) revealed the ability of BPC 157 to counteract hyperkalemia- and hypermagnesemia-induced depolarization and hypokalemia-induced hyperpolarization. In lithium intoxication, BPC 157 promoted collateral pathway activation, resolved vascular and multiorgan failure, and counteracted advanced Virchow triad conditions and occlusion-like syndromes. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic promise of BPC 157 in managing electrolyte imbalances and warrant further investigation.