GHK-Cu 50mg Copper Peptide

GHK (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) is a tiny protein found naturally in the blood of many mammals, including humans, where it is often attached to copper (Cu) to form GHK-Cu. Early research has revealed that GHK-Cu could restore function to liver cells, making old cells act like much younger cells. Subsequent animal studies have found that the protein has an ability to reduce the effects of aging in a number of tissues. Animal studies have revealed that GHK’s effects are particularly pronounced in skin where it acts to promote the production of supporting structures (extracellular matrix) in the skin, increase collagen synthesis, regulate copper levels, and activate reparative cells (fibroblasts and mast cells), [1]–[7]. The protein is now being investigated as an anti-inflammatory to replace cortico-steroids, for use in nerve regeneration, as a stem cell growth factor, as a DNA protectant, and as a general anti-cancer agent [8]–[12]. GHK-Cu is widely used in cosmetics and has been investigated for use in wound healing and hair growth [13], [14]. For reasons that aren’t clear, GHK production declines with age. The utility of GHK supplementation is currently being researched.

GHK-Cu Resources

[1] N. Y. Gul, A. Topal, I. T. Cangul, and K. Yanik, “The effects of topical tripeptide copper complex and helium-neon laser on wound healing in rabbits,” Vet. Dermatol., vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 7–14, Feb. 2008.

[2] I. T. Cangul, N. Y. Gul, A. Topal, and R. Yilmaz, “Evaluation of the effects of topical tripeptide-copper complex and zinc oxide on open-wound healing in rabbits,” Vet. Dermatol., vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 417–423, Dec. 2006.

[3] V. Arul, R. Kartha, and R. Jayakumar, “A therapeutic approach for diabetic wound healing using biotinylated GHK incorporated collagen matrices,” Life Sci., vol. 80, no. 4, pp. 275–284, Jan. 2007.

[4] A. Siméon, H. Emonard, W. Hornebeck, and F. X. Maquart, “The tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression by fibroblast cultures,” Life Sci., vol. 67, no. 18, pp. 2257–2265, Sep. 2000.

[5] L. Pickart, J. M. Vasquez-Soltero, and A. Margolina, “GHK-Cu may Prevent Oxidative Stress in Skin by Regulating Copper and Modifying Expression of Numerous Antioxidant Genes,” Cosmetics, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 236–247, Jul. 2015.

[6] Skin Biology, Bellevue, Washington 98006, USA, L. Pickart, J. M. Vasquez-Soltero, F. Pickart, and J. Majnarich, “GHK, the Human Skin Remodeling Peptide, Induces Anti-Cancer Expression of Numerous Caspase, Growth Regulatory, and DNA Repair Genes,” J. Anal. Oncol., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 79–87, Apr. 2014.

[7] L. Pickart, J. M. Vasquez-Soltero, and A. Margolina, “GHK and DNA: Resetting the Human Genome to Health,” BioMed Res. Int., vol. 2014, p. e151479, Sep. 2014.

[8] A. Gruchlik, M. Jurzak, E. Chodurek, and Z. Dzierzewicz, “Effect of Gly-Gly-His, Gly-His-Lys and their copper complexes on TNF-alpha-dependent IL-6 secretion in normal human dermal fibroblasts,” Acta Pol. Pharm., vol. 69, no. 6, pp. 1303–1306, Dec. 2012.

[9] M. R. Ahmed, S. H. Basha, D. Gopinath, R. Muthusamy, and R. Jayakumar, “Initial upregulation of growth factors and inflammatory mediators during nerve regeneration in the presence of cell adhesive peptide-incorporated collagen tubes,” J. Peripher. Nerv. Syst. JPNS, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 17–30, Mar. 2005.

[10] Y.-A. Kang, H.-R. Choi, J.-I. Na, C.-H. Huh, M.-J. Kim, S.-W. Youn, K.-H. Kim, and K.-C. Park, “Copper-GHK increases integrin expression and p63 positivity by keratinocytes,” Arch. Dermatol. Res., vol. 301, no. 4, pp. 301–306, Apr. 2009.

[11] J. D. Pollard, S. Quan, T. Kang, and R. J. Koch, “Effects of copper tripeptide on the growth and expression of growth factors by normal and irradiated fibroblasts,” Arch. Facial Plast. Surg., vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 27–31, Feb. 2005.

[12] L. E. Matalka, “The Tripeptide, GHK, Induces Programmed Cell Death in SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells,” J. Biotechnol. Biomater., vol. 02, no. 05, 2012.

[13] G. D. Mulder, L. M. Patt, L. Sanders, J. Rosenstock, M. I. Altman, M. E. Hanley, and G. W. Duncan, “Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper,” Wound Repair Regen. Off. Publ. Wound Heal. Soc. Eur. Tissue Repair Soc., vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 259–269, Oct. 1994.

[14] A. A. Abdulghani, A. Sherr, S. Shirin, G. Solodkina, E. M. Tapia, B. Wolf, and A. B. Gottlieb, “Effects of topical creams containing vitamin C, a copper-binding peptide cream and melatonin compared with tretinoin on the ultrastructure of normal skin - A pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study,” Dis. Manag. Clin. Outcomes, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 136–141, Jul. 1998.