GLOW

1) Clinical Overview

GLOW combines three research peptides with complementary mechanisms across soft-tissue repair and skin biology: (1) BPC-157, a gastric pentadecapeptide studied primarily in animals and limited early human work for inflammatory bowel disease; (2) TB-500, a research‐marketed fragment related to thymosin β4 (Tβ4)—human Tβ4 (not TB-500) has undergone ophthalmic and wound-healing trials; and (3) GHK-Cu, a copper-binding tripeptide with multiple randomized topical studies reporting improvements in photoaged skin. None of these agents is FDA-approved for systemic musculoskeletal repair, and combination use has not been clinically evaluated. 

2) Human Clinical Findings

BPC-157 (single-agent context)

Early clinical activity is mainly in gastrointestinal indications. Reviews and trial registries cite a Phase I safety/PK study in healthy volunteers and a Phase II enema study in mild-to-moderate ulcerative colitis (abstract level reporting). Published clinical efficacy data remain sparse. 

Contemporary reviews summarize encouraging but limited human evidence alongside extensive animal data (tendon, muscle, nerve, vessel models). 

Thymosin β4 / TB-500 (single-agent context)

Ophthalmic Tβ4 eye drops (RGN-259, 0.1%) show benefit in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-masked Phase III trial and signal in severe dry-eye studies; these are topical ocular formulations of Tβ4, not systemic TB-500 injections. 

For cutaneous wounds, a Tβ4 randomized, double-blind trial was organized in epidermolysis bullosa (EB); trial listings also describe Tβ4 gel for venous stasis ulcers (Phase 2). Peer-reviewed results are limited, but the programs support human feasibility and safety of topically applied Tβ4. 

GHK-Cu (single-agent context)

Multiple clinical studies (12-week treatments) report increased skin density/thickness and improvements in laxity, wrinkles and overall appearance with topical GHK-Cu; a randomized, double-blind cosmetic study using a nano-lipid carrier also reported significant wrinkle-volume and depth reductions. 

A small study after CO₂ laser resurfacing found no objective wrinkle benefit vs control, though patient-reported satisfaction favored GHK-Cu—consistent with an overall topical safety signal. 

Blend evidence: There are no published human trials testing BPC-157 + TB-500/Tβ4 + GHK-Cu together; any synergistic or antagonistic effects are unproven. 

3) Mechanism & Effects

BPC-157

Pleiotropic cytoprotective peptide (stable in gastric juice) that modulates angiogenesis and nitric-oxide–related pathways; in tendon-cell models it up-regulates GH receptor expression and supports fibroblast function—mechanisms that could align with soft-tissue repair hypotheses. 

Thymosin β4 / TB-500

Tβ4 is an actin-sequestering peptide that promotes cell migration, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization; clinical programs leveraged these properties in corneal epithelial defects and severe dry eye (RGN-259). TB-500 products are marketed as Tβ4-derived fragments, but the best human data come from full-length Tβ4 ophthalmic trials. 

GHK-Cu

Binds copper(II), influences MMP/TIMP balance, and up-regulates extracellular-matrix genes; clinical dermatology studies and reviews report increased collagen/elastin production and improved dermal architecture with topical use, mechanistically complementary to Tβ4/TB-500 in epithelial repair. 

4) Safety & Considerations

Regulatory/quality: BPC-157 and TB-500 are not FDA-approved; products sold online are unregulated. WADA explicitly prohibits BPC-157 (S0 Non-approved substances) and Thymosin-β4 and its derivatives (e.g., TB-500; S2 Growth Factors)—important for tested athletes. 

BPC-157 human safety: Peer-reviewed human safety data are limited (Phase I/II references; mostly animal toxicology suggests wide margins). Regulatory summaries caution that evidence is insufficient to establish human safety. 

Tβ4/TB-500 safety: Ophthalmic Tβ4 trials (RGN-259) reported favorable tolerability in corneal indications; systemic TB-500 safety in humans is not established. 

GHK-Cu safety: Generally well tolerated topically in controlled cosmetic studies; isolated dermatologic trials show mixed objective efficacy but no serious safety signals. 

Important: GLOW’s combination has not been clinically tested; interaction risks (e.g., overlapping pro-migratory/angiogenic signaling) are unknown. For any research involving parenteral use, sourcing and endotoxin/sterility control are critical due to the unregulated supply chain. (No clinical claims are made.) 

References

BPC-157:

1. Sikiric P, et al. The Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157: Pleiotropic… Int J Mol Sci. 2024 (human evidence limited; UC trials referenced). 

2. InpharmD Brief. Is BPC-157 safe… (Phase I healthy volunteer; Phase II UC abstracts). 

3. Xu C, et al. Preclinical safety evaluation of BPC-157. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2020. 

Thymosin β4 / TB-500:

4. Sosne G, et al. 0.1% RGN-259 (Tβ4) Ophthalmic Solution…Phase III in Neurotrophic Keratopathy. Int J Mol Sci. 2022. 

5. Sosne G, et al. Tβ4 ophthalmic solution for dry eye: randomized trial. Clin Ophthalmol. 2015. 

GHK-Cu:

6. Pickart L, et al. Regenerative and Protective Actions of GHK-Cu… Int J Mol Sci. 2018 (summarizes multiple RCTs and split-face studies). 

7. Miller TR, et al. Effects of topical copper tripeptide complex after CO₂ laser resurfacing. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2006. 

Anti-doping / status:

8. WADA 2025 Prohibited List—S0 includes BPC-157; S2 lists Thymosin-β4 and derivatives (e.g., TB-500).