Protection of gastrointestinal tract and an evident anti-inflammatory effect have been shown by a pentadecapeptide BPC 157, a fragment of organoprotective gastric juice peptide (BPC) (ip/ig) in comparison with several reference standards in various ulcer models (pre-/co-/post-treatment). Since an effect on mucosal healing was also noted, the BPC 157 effect on healing of colon-colon anastomoses was further investigated. Methods: Male Albino Wistar rats, 250 g body weight, were used for the experiments. Bursting pressure (mean +/- SEM, mmHg) was measured on postoperative days 2, 5, 7 and 10 using a previously described method The rats were treated with BPC 157 (10 mu g or 10 ng/kg) given either (a) immediately after colon resection and colon-colon anastomosis, (i) ig, (ii) ip or (iii) locally, and sacrificed 2, 5, 7 or 10 days thereafter, or (b) with an additional (iv) ig or (v) ip application, 24 h after first medication (sacrifice on postoperative day 2). Controls received an equivolume of saline (5 ml/kg). Results: After single administration of BPC 157, a dose-dependent increase in bursting pressure and maximal bowel wall tension relative to control values was evident after 2 days. When applied repeatedly, BPC resulted in a relative increase after 2 days at the lower BPC 157 dosage as well. Taken together, these data indicate that, in accordance with its strong protective effect on gastrointestinal tract, BPC 157 could beneficially influence healing of colon-colon anastomoses, and this was confirmed microscopically, and increase bursting strength, particularly in the early postoperative period. Whether this will have clinical implications remains to be seen.