BPC-157 vs TB-500: a research-compound comparison
Researchers comparing BPC-157 and TB-500 are usually weighing two different peptide families that co-occur in tissue-repair research. This page compares them on structure, molecular properties, and mechanism context only. Both are supplied strictly as chemical reference materials for in-vitro laboratory research and are not approved for human or veterinary use.
BPC-157 vs TB-500 at a glance
| Property | BPC-157 | TB-500 |
|---|---|---|
| Peptide class | Gastric pentadecapeptide (Body Protection Compound) | Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4) peptide |
| Length | 15 amino acids | 43 amino acids (full Tβ4 sequence) |
| Molecular weight | 1419.53 g/mol | 4963.50 g/mol |
| Molecular formula | C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂ | C₂₁₂H₃₅₀N₅₆O₇₈S |
| CAS number | 137525-51-0 | 77591-33-4 |
| Origin | Partial sequence of a human gastric protein (BPC) | Synthetic full Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4) sequence |
| Mechanism context (research) | Cytoprotection and angiogenesis signaling in preclinical models | G-actin sequestering / actin-monomer buffering; cell migration |
| Contains sulfur | No | Yes (methionine) |
BPC-157 in research
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a stable 15-amino-acid peptide derived from a partial sequence of a protein found in human gastric juice. In preclinical research it has been studied for cytoprotective and angiogenic signaling, and it is noted for stability in aqueous and gastric-pH conditions relative to many peptides. Its small size (1419.53 g/mol, C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂) makes it straightforward to reconstitute and handle in the lab.
TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) in research
TB-500 corresponds to the full ~43-amino-acid sequence of Thymosin Beta-4, a naturally occurring protein involved in actin regulation. In research models Thymosin Beta-4 sequesters monomeric (G-)actin, acting as the principal actin-monomer buffer that regulates the pool of unpolymerized actin — a process connected to cell migration and tissue organization. It is a substantially larger peptide than BPC-157 (4963.50 g/mol, C₂₁₂H₃₅₀N₅₆O₇₈S) and is the only one of the two that contains a sulfur atom.
How BPC-157 and TB-500 differ
- Size and structure: BPC-157 is a short 15-residue peptide; TB-500 is the roughly 43-residue Thymosin Beta-4 region peptide, about 3.5 times heavier.
- Origin: BPC-157 derives from a gastric protein sequence; TB-500 derives from Thymosin Beta-4.
- Mechanism context: BPC-157 research centers on cytoprotection and angiogenesis signaling; TB-500 research centers on actin dynamics and cell migration.
- Composition: only TB-500 contains a sulfur atom (methionine); BPC-157 does not.
Why researchers study them together
Because the two peptides act through different mechanism families, they are frequently investigated side by side in tissue-repair research rather than as substitutes. Nexus offers pre-measured BPC-157 + TB-500 research blends for laboratories that want both compounds in a single reconstitution workflow. As with any blend, the individual Certificate of Analysis records remain the source of truth for the identity and purity of each compound.
Verification and certificates of analysis
Both compounds in the Nexus catalog are independently verified, with public Certificates of Analysis reporting HPLC area-percent purity and mass-spectrometry identity for the release batch. New to reading these records? Start with the guide to reading a peptide certificate of analysis, then review the full lab-verified archive.
Research FAQ
Are BPC-157 and TB-500 the same thing?
No. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid gastric pentadecapeptide; TB-500 is the full ~43-residue Thymosin Beta-4 peptide. They have different structures, molecular weights, and mechanism contexts.
What is the molecular weight of BPC-157 vs TB-500?
BPC-157 is 1419.53 g/mol (C₆₂H₉₈N₁₆O₂₂); TB-500 is 4963.50 g/mol (C₂₁₂H₃₅₀N₅₆O₇₈S) — about 3.5 times heavier.
Can BPC-157 and TB-500 be studied together?
They are often investigated side by side in tissue-repair research because they act through different mechanism families. Pre-measured BPC-157 + TB-500 research blends are available for a single reconstitution workflow.
Are BPC-157 or TB-500 approved for human use?
No. Both are supplied strictly as chemical reference materials for in-vitro laboratory research. They are not approved for human consumption, veterinary use, or any therapeutic application.