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General Sports Medicine

What are Peptides?

The very first peptide that was made for clinical practice was insulin in 1921.

G
Greg Rubin
Sports Medicine Physician ยท August 10, 2025 ยท 3 min read

Overview

The very first peptide that was made for clinical practice was insulin in 1921. Therapeutic peptides are amino acids. Clinical research has rapidly increased the number of peptide drugs due to advancements in protein synthesis and gene sequencing.

Symptoms

These peptides are now able to mimic the action of hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters. They can act like biologic antibodies without the immunogenic effects. Peptides have the potential to either enter cells or bind to cell-surface receptors.

Causes and Risk Factors

Peptides have short half lives and have not been found to accumulate in the body. Most peptides are rapidly excreted by either heptic or renal clearance. Some of the more well known peptides are the glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists, like Tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

Treatment Options

One of the advantages of peptides is that they can be delivered either via oral, transdermal, or injectable routes. One of the most talked about peptides in the field of orthopedics is BPC-157, also known as body protective compound-157, which is a peptide found in gastric juices that acts to promote gastric mucosal integrity. There is interest in BPC-157 because of its proposed anti-inflammatory effects.

Recovery

As it stands now, there is little evidence to support the use of BPC-157 for treatment of musculoskeletal injury. There is no FDA approved indication for its use and the peptides are not DEA scheduled. As a result, there is no quality and safety requirement for BPC-157.

When to See a Doctor

If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to what are peptides?, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.

*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*

General Sports Medicine
G
Greg Rubin
Sports Medicine Physician
Sports Medicine Review contributor

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