AJSM - 2026-08-11 - Journal Article
Peptide Supplements and Their Therapeutic Applications in Sports Medicine.
Tewari K, Liu TP, Im C, Hamad C, Petrigliano F, Cheung EC, Kremen TJ
Topics
Key Takeaway
67% of publications on six emerging peptides (BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, MK-677, ipamorelin, GHK-Cu) used preclinical animal models, and no peptide has sufficient human trial data to support clinical use in musculoskeletal recovery.
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Summary
This PRISMA-guided scoping review evaluated peer-reviewed evidence for six peptide supplements marketed for musculoskeletal recovery and performance enhancement across animal and human models. Two-thirds of identified publications were preclinical rodent studies; human trials were few, lacked robust controls, and showed only modest effects on metabolic bone health and degenerative knee pain at best. MK-677 carried documented cardiovascular risk including congestive heart failure, and significant heterogeneity in dosing and administration routes precluded pooled efficacy conclusions.
Key Limitation
The scoping review design captures breadth but cannot quantify effect sizes or risk magnitude, limiting the ability to rank peptides by harm-benefit ratio for clinical decision-making.
Original Abstract
BACKGROUND
The peptide supplement market has experienced rapid growth due to marketing claims of enhanced performance and accelerated recovery from musculoskeletal injury. These peptides are increasingly popular with patients and athletes and are often perceived as low risk, despite the absence of efficacy or safety data for many emerging peptides.
PURPOSE
To summarize existing peer-reviewed data on 6 emerging peptides (BPC-157, thymosin beta-4 or TB-500, CJC-1295, MK-677, ipamorelin, and GHK-Cu [copper peptide]) for musculoskeletal recovery and enhancement in animal and human models.
STUDY DESIGN
Scoping review.
METHODS
Three independent reviewers searched the PubMed database using permutations of peptide search terms (BPC-157, TB-500, CJC-1295, MK-677 [ibutamoren], ipamorelin, and GHK-Cu) combined with musculoskeletal tissue search terms (bone, fracture, muscle, tendon, ligament, meniscus, and cartilage) following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Papers were independently screened by 2 reviewers, with a third serving as a tiebreaker. Papers examining these peptides for musculoskeletal treatment, tissue recovery, or performance in animal or human models were included.
RESULTS
Overall, 67% of identified publications utilized preclinical animal models. In animal models, most commonly rats, each compound demonstrated unique mechanisms with promising but variable effects on tendon, muscle, bone, and ligament healing. Human clinical studies were limited to a handful of investigations, most lacking robust controls or rigorous study designs. Human data were heterogeneous and revealed modest improvements at best for metabolic bone health and degenerative knee pain. Some peptides such as MK-677 were associated with significant risks including congestive heart failure, and significant heterogeneity existed in dosing and route of administration.
CONCLUSION
Despite promising findings in animal studies, the claimed benefits of emerging peptide supplements for musculoskeletal recovery and performance remain unsubstantiated by current human trials. Documented risks include cardiovascular complications and metabolic dysfunction such as insulin resistance. Because of the lack of robust efficacy and safety data, peptide supplements should not currently be recommended as a replacement or adjunct for existing orthopaedic standard of care.