Tissue Repair — 8 Compounds Compared
BPC-157, TB-500, KPV, LL-37, Ara-290, glutathione and the repair blends — the tissue-repair research category compared on class, mass and reported half-life.
What this category covers
The tissue-repair category collects compounds studied in wound-healing, connective-tissue and gut-lining models, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial research. Most of the evidence behind these entries is preclinical — animal models and in-vitro work — and each entry says so on its own page.
Two things make this category unusually easy to misread. First, several entries are multi-component blends rather than single compounds, so their specifications are necessarily incomplete: a blend has no single molecular weight or half-life, which is exactly why those cells below read "Not listed". Second, the reported half-lives here are short — in some cases minutes — while the effects reported in the literature are described over days. That gap between pharmacokinetics and observed outcome is discussed on the individual entries and is a live question in the research rather than a settled one.
Every entry in this category, side by side
All 8 compounds PeptiDex documents under Tissue Repair, on the specifications that actually separate one entry from another. Values are reproduced from each entry's own record; follow any name for the full research overview.
| Entry | Compound class | Length (aa) | Molecular weight | Reported half-life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Synthetic pentadecapeptide | 15 | 1419.5 Da | <30 minutes (elimination, reported in rats/dogs) |
| TB-500 | Actin-binding peptide fragment | 7 | ~4921 Da (full-length thymosin beta-4); ~889 Da for the Ac-LKKTETQ fragment form | ~2-3 hours (elimination); tissue effects reported to persist for days |
| Ara-290 | Synthetic erythropoietin-derived peptide (Cibinetide) | 11 | ~1257 Da | ~2 minutes (plasma) |
| Glutathione | Endogenous antioxidant tripeptide | 3 | 307.32 g/mol | ~15 minutes (plasma, after IV) |
| KPV | Alpha-MSH-derived tripeptide fragment | 3 | 342.43 g/mol | Not listed |
| LL-37 | Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide | 37 | ~4493 Da | Not listed |
| BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend | Multi-component research blend | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
| KLOW Blend | Multi-component research blend | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Of the 8 compounds above, 6 carry a published molecular weight, 4 have a reported half-life, 6 have a documented residue count and 6 have a published amino-acid sequence. No half-life is recorded for KPV, LL-37, BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend and KLOW Blend.
A cell reading "Not listed" is a gap in the published record, not an omission on this page. PeptiDex records a specification only where a source documents it. Some entries here are blends or multi-component preparations, which have no single molecular weight to report at all. Where a value has never been established in the published literature the cell says so, rather than carrying an estimate — a plausible-looking number would make the table read as complete while making it wrong.
Mechanisms represented in this category
The 8 compounds here resolve into 7 compound classes, 1 of which is shared by more than one entry. Entries inside a group carry the same stated class; entries in different groups are not interchangeable, however similar their research context looks.
Multi-component research blend 2 entries
- BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend — As a blend, it combines the documented properties of its components: BPC-157, studied in animal models for angiogenesis and growth-factor-related tissue-repair signaling, and TB-500, associated with actin regulation and cell migration in preclinical work.
- KLOW Blend — As a blend, KLOW combines the documented properties of its components: GHK-Cu's copper-delivery and tissue-remodeling signaling, KPV's melanocortin-pathway anti-inflammatory activity, BPC-157's angiogenesis and growth-factor-related repair signaling, and TB-500's actin-regulation and cell-migration effects.
Actin-binding peptide fragment
- TB-500 — Thymosin Beta-4 and its actin-binding fragment are studied for their ability to sequester G-actin and influence actin polymerization, which relates to cell migration.
Alpha-MSH-derived tripeptide fragment
- KPV — KPV is reported in preclinical studies to exert anti-inflammatory effects, and research has explored both melanocortin-receptor-dependent signaling and intracellular actions independent of classic MSH pigmentation activity.
Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide
- LL-37 — LL-37 is a cationic, amphipathic host-defense peptide that can disrupt microbial membranes, giving it broad antimicrobial activity.
Endogenous antioxidant tripeptide
- Glutathione — Glutathione acts as a major intracellular antioxidant and redox buffer, neutralizing reactive oxygen species and participating in the glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase systems.
Synthetic erythropoietin-derived peptide
- Ara-290 — ARA-290 is described as an agonist of the innate repair receptor, a heteroreceptor complex involving the beta-common receptor, which mediates tissue-protective and anti-inflammatory effects attributed to EPO without stimulating erythropoiesis.
Synthetic pentadecapeptide
- BPC-157 — In animal and in-vitro studies, BPC-157 has been associated with promotion of angiogenesis and modulation of growth-factor signaling pathways, including effects reported on the VEGFR2 pathway and nitric oxide systems.
Each line is the opening sentence of that entry's own mechanism record, reproduced verbatim. The full mechanism, the research areas behind it and the evidence level sit on the entry's page.
How the compounds in this category differ
Sharing a category does not make two compounds substitutes. Each note below is the differentiator recorded on that entry — the property that separates it from the others in the table.
BPC-157
A 15-amino-acid synthetic peptide fragment studied for its purported role in tissue-repair research.
Unlike copper-binding cosmetic tripeptides or the actin-modulating TB-500, BPC-157 is a longer synthetic peptide studied primarily for connective-tissue and gastrointestinal repair endpoints in animals.
TB-500
A synthetic fragment of Thymosin Beta-4 frequently studied alongside BPC-157 in repair-related research.
TB-500 is defined by its actin-binding fragment identity, distinguishing it from BPC-157's growth-factor/angiogenesis focus and from copper tripeptides used cosmetically.
Ara-290
An 11-amino-acid peptide derivative of erythropoietin studied in tissue-protective research.
ARA-290 is unusual in this group for being an EPO-derived, receptor-targeted peptide that has progressed into clinical trials rather than remaining purely preclinical.
Glutathione
A tripeptide antioxidant studied extensively in oxidative-stress and recovery research.
Unlike the synthetic research peptides in this group, glutathione is an endogenous, well-studied antioxidant tripeptide available as a supplement rather than a research-only compound.
KPV
A C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH studied in inflammation and tissue-repair research.
KPV is distinguished by its melanocortin-pathway anti-inflammatory focus, in contrast to the antimicrobial LL-37 or the tissue-repair emphasis of BPC-157 and TB-500.
LL-37
A human cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide studied in immunology and tissue-repair research.
LL-37 is unique in this group as a natural host-defense peptide combining direct antimicrobial activity with immune modulation, rather than being a synthetic repair-focused peptide.
BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend
A research-supplier blend pairing BPC-157 with TB-500, two peptides commonly studied together in tissue-repair research.
This blend pairs a growth-factor/angiogenesis-focused peptide (BPC-157) with an actin-regulating fragment (TB-500), differing from single-peptide or copper-tripeptide products.
KLOW Blend
A research-supplier blend referenced in recovery and inflammation research, combining multiple repair-related peptides.
KLOW is a broader combination than two-component blends, pairing a copper cosmetic tripeptide and an anti-inflammatory MSH fragment with repair-focused peptides.
Commonly co-studied pairs
Pairings documented on the entries themselves, with the reason each is co-referenced. Cross-referencing research context is not a combination recommendation, and PeptiDex gives no protocol, ratio or dosing guidance.
Within Tissue Repair
- BPC-157 + TB-500 — The classic tissue-repair pairing; complementary angiogenic and actin/cell-migration mechanisms are commonly co-studied.
- BPC-157 + KPV — Paired in anti-inflammatory tissue-repair contexts and included together in the KLOW research blend.
- TB-500 + KPV — Co-studied for anti-inflammatory support alongside repair signaling; both appear in the KLOW blend.
- Ara-290 + BPC-157 — Both are studied for anti-inflammatory tissue protection, so they appear together in repair-focused research discussions.
- Ara-290 + KPV — Co-considered for anti-inflammatory signaling through distinct pathways (innate repair receptor vs NF-kB).
- KPV + LL-37 — Both are small immune-modulating peptides studied in inflammation and antimicrobial-defense contexts.
- LL-37 + BPC-157 — Co-discussed in wound-healing research combining antimicrobial and tissue-repair signaling.
- BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend + BPC-157 — The angiogenic/nitric-oxide repair component of the blend, also studied on its own.
Reaching into other categories
- BPC-157 + GHK-Cu — Co-formulated in GLOW/KLOW research blends for combined tissue-remodeling and regenerative signaling.
- TB-500 + GHK-Cu — Combined in GLOW/KLOW research blends for regenerative and tissue-remodeling signaling.
- Glutathione + NAD+ — Both are studied in cellular redox and oxidative-stress contexts and are commonly discussed together in longevity research.
- Glutathione + Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) — Frequently combined in IV nutrient/antioxidant protocols in applied wellness research.
6 further pairings are documented on the individual entries. Each note is reproduced from the entry that records the pairing.
What this category is studied for
Research areas drawn from the 8 compounds in this category, deduplicated and ordered by how many entries list them. A further 20 research areas are listed across the individual entries.
Listing a research area records where a compound has been studied. It is not a claim of efficacy, an indication, or a suggestion of human use.
Category questions
How many compounds does PeptiDex list under Tissue Repair?
8: BPC-157, TB-500, Ara-290, Glutathione, KPV, LL-37, BPC-157 + TB-500 Blend and KLOW Blend. Each has its own research overview covering compound class, mechanism, studied research areas, specifications and entry-specific questions.
Why do some entries show "Not listed" instead of a molecular weight or half-life?
Because PeptiDex records a specification only where a source documents it. In this category 6 of 8 entries have a published molecular weight and 4 have a reported half-life. Some entries here are blends or multi-component preparations, which have no single molecular weight to report; for the rest, the value has simply not been established in the published literature. An estimate there would look like data and function as a guess, so the gap is shown instead.
What compound classes are represented in this category?
7 distinct classes across the 8 compounds: Synthetic pentadecapeptide, Actin-binding peptide fragment, Synthetic erythropoietin-derived peptide, Endogenous antioxidant tripeptide, Alpha-MSH-derived tripeptide fragment, Cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide and Multi-component research blend. Entries sharing a class are grouped together in the mechanisms section; the comparison table lists each entry's full class verbatim, qualifiers included.
Which entries in this category are studied together?
BPC-157 and TB-500 are cross-referenced on each other's entries: The classic tissue-repair pairing; complementary angiogenic and actin/cell-migration mechanisms are commonly co-studied. The co-studied pairs section lists the rest. Co-reference describes how the literature groups compounds; it is not a combination recommendation and no ratios or protocols are given.
Are the compounds in this category approved for human use?
PeptiDex documents all 8 entries strictly for research and educational purposes and provides no dosing, protocol or human-use guidance. Regulatory status differs from entry to entry and is stated in the regulatory note on each entry's own page. Nothing here is medical advice or a therapeutic claim.
Where should I start in this category?
The comparison table gives the fastest orientation, then the differentiator notes explain why two entries with similar research contexts are not interchangeable. BPC-157 and TB-500 are the entries PeptiDex features here. The glossary defines the vocabulary the entries are written in.
Answers summarise what the catalog records for this category. They are educational context, not medical advice. See the Research Library, the Glossary and each entry's own page for detail.
See also
- BPC-157 vs TB-500 — the long-form comparison of the two most co-studied compounds in this category.
- GHK-Cu — a copper tripeptide cross-referenced throughout repair research, catalogued under cosmetic and dermal.
- Cosmetic & Dermal hub — where the matrix-remodelling side of this research lives.
- Glossary — extracellular matrix, angiogenesis vocabulary, blend and half-life.