Hamstring Muscle Strain, Skeletal Muscle Injury
Conditions
Keywords
BPC 157, BPC-157, pentadecapeptide, muscle strain, hamstring injury, sports medicine, MRI, return to play, muscle repair, rehabilitation
Brief summary
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study evaluates whether pentadecapeptide BPC 157 (BPC-157), an investigational peptide, can speed structural healing and functional recovery after an acute grade II hamstring muscle strain. Participants will receive BPC 157 or placebo for 14 days in addition to a standardized rehabilitation program. The co-primary endpoints are time to return to unrestricted sport and change in MRI-assessed injury volume at Day 14.
Detailed description
Acute hamstring strains are common in running- and field-based sports and often lead to prolonged time away from sport and a risk of recurrence. Preclinical research suggests that BPC 157 may influence pathways involved in tissue protection, angiogenesis, and repair. Human clinical evidence remains limited, so a controlled trial is needed to evaluate potential benefits and characterize safety in a musculoskeletal injury population. After screening and baseline assessments (including MRI confirmation of an acute grade II hamstring strain), eligible participants will be randomized 1:1 to receive subcutaneous BPC 157 or matching placebo once daily for 14 days. All participants will follow the same evidence-based rehabilitation protocol supervised by study physiotherapists. Clinical assessments will occur at Days 3, 7, 14, 28, and 56, with additional follow-up at 3 months after return-to-play for recurrence monitoring. Safety will be assessed through adverse event monitoring, vital signs, and standard laboratory tests. An independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee will review unblinded safety data at predefined intervals.
Interventions
DRUGPentadecapeptide BPC 157
subcutaneous injection (administered by trained study staff). Schedule: once daily for 14 days.
DRUGPlacebo
subcutaneous injection (administered by trained study staff). Schedule: once daily for 14 days.
Sponsors
Hudson Biotech
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Masking description
Investigational pharmacy prepares identical-appearing prefilled syringes labeled with a randomization code. Participants, study clinicians, investigators, and outcome assessors remain blinded to assignment. Emergency unblinding is permitted only when necessary for participant safety.
Intervention model description
Participants with an acute MRI-confirmed grade II hamstring strain are randomized 1:1 to investigational BPC 157 or placebo. Both groups receive the same standardized rehabilitation program.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Age 18 to 45 years. * Acute posterior thigh pain consistent with hamstring strain with onset within 72 hours prior to screening. * MRI-confirmed grade II hamstring strain of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or semimembranosus, with measurable lesion. * Pre-injury physical activity \>= 3 sessions/week or participation in organized recreational sport. * Willingness to follow the standardized rehabilitation protocol and attend all study visits. * For participants of childbearing potential: negative pregnancy test at baseline and agreement to use effective contraception during dosing and for 30 days after last dose.
Exclusion criteria
* Grade III hamstring tear, tendon avulsion, or injury requiring surgical management. * Concomitant lower extremity injury that would interfere with rehabilitation or outcome assessment. * Prior hamstring strain on the index limb within the past 6 months. * Use of systemic corticosteroids, anabolic agents, platelet-rich plasma, stem-cell products, or investigational peptides/growth factors within 30 days prior to screening. * Known bleeding disorder or current therapeutic anticoagulation. * Significant uncontrolled medical illness (e.g., severe cardiovascular, hepatic, or renal disease) that increases study risk. * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to components of the investigational product or placebo. * Pregnant or breastfeeding. * Current participation in another interventional clinical study or participation within 30 days prior to screening. * Currently subject to a formal anti-doping testing program (e.g., WADA/USADA-aligned) where use of an investigational peptide could create a regulatory conflict, unless explicitly approved by the relevant authority
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Time to return to unrestricted sport participation (days) | 8 Weeks | defined as clearance by a blinded sports medicine clinician and completion of a standardized functional performance battery without pain-limited stopping. |
| Change from baseline to Day 14 in MRI-assessed hamstring injury volume (cm^3), measured by blinded central radiology review. | 14 Days | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Change in pain during activity on a 0-10 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS; 0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain). | 56 Days |
| Hamstring strength limb symmetry index (LSI) by isokinetic dynamometry | 56 Days |
| Change in Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS; 0-80, higher scores indicate better function) | 56 Days |
Countries
China
Contacts
CONTACTSeni S Lu, Phd
Outcome results
None listed