GHK-Cu

The Anti-Aging Powerhouse

Turn Back Time: Discover the Anti-Aging Miracle of GHK-cu

GHK-Cu or Copper Tripeptide-1, is a naturally occurring copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. This small molecule is notable for its wide range of biological effects in the human body.

GHK-Cu is formed when copper ions bind to a short chain of three amino acids: glycine, histidine, and lysine. This binding enhances the biological activities of the peptide, making it particularly effective in several biological processes. It has been extensively studied for its roles in wound healing, anti-inflammatory activities, stimulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in skin fibroblasts, and promoting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels).

The compound is also popular in cosmetic and dermatological products due to its ability to improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and promote a generally healthier appearance of the skin by aiding in skin repair and regeneration.

Potential Benefits Under Research

• Wound Healing: GHK-Cu has been shown to accelerate wound closure by stimulating the contraction of the wound, promoting the development of blood vessels, and increasing the production of collagen and other key proteins involved in the healing process.
• Anti-Aging: Due to its ability to stimulate collagen production, GHK-Cu is commonly used in skincare products to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve skin elasticity, contributing to a more youthful appearance.
• Anti-Inflammatory Effects: GHK-Cu has demonstrated properties that reduce inflammation, which can help in treating chronic inflammatory conditions and possibly aid in the recovery of tissues after injury.
• Hair Growth: Research suggests that GHK-Cu can stimulate hair follicle growth and increase blood flow to the scalp, which may be beneficial for treating hair loss.
• Tissue Remodeling: It supports the remodeling of tissues, which includes the breakdown of damaged proteins and the synthesis of new, healthy proteins in tissues like the skin.
• Antioxidant Properties: GHK-Cu may also act as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can cause cellular damage and aging.
• Neuroprotective Effects: Some studies suggest that GHK-Cu could have protective effects on the nervous system and might be beneficial in neurodegenerative diseases, although more research is needed in this area.
  

Dosing Protocol for Research Purposes

• If you are using a 3% GHK-CU formulation (like my company AseirCustom’s Royal Blue Serum or Sky Blue Cream), this means using 2-4 pumps (0.21 mL – 0.81 mL) on average per application.

Overview

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring peptide first isolated from human blood plasma. It has since been identified in urine and saliva as well. Research into GHK-Cu has found the short peptide to have substantial benefits in wound healing and immune function. It has anti-aging properties and has been found to suppress free-radical damage, increase protein synthesis, fight bacteria, and increase the
health of skin and skin fibroblasts.

Structure

Sequence: Gly-His-Lys.Cu.xHAc
Molecular Formula: C14H23CuN6O4
Molecular Weight: 340.384 g/mol
PubChem CID: 73587
CAS Number: 89030-95-5

GHK-Cu Research

1. GHK-Cu and Skin Healing

GHK-Cu is a natural part of human blood and, as such, has been found to play an integral role in skin regeneration pathways. Research in skin cultures has found that GHK stimulates the synthesis and breakdown of collagen, glycosaminoglycans, and other extracellular matrix components like proteoglycans and chondroitin sulfate. At least part of this effect is mediated through the positive recruitment benefits that GHK-Cu has on fibroblasts, immune cells, and endothelial cells. The peptide draws these cells to the site of injury and appears to coordinate their activity in repairing the damage.

GHK-Cu is a common component of skincare and cosmetic products. It improves elasticity of the skin while tightening and firming. It has also been shown to reduce damage due to sunlight, reduce hyperpigmentation, and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The ability of GHK-Cu to modulate collagen synthesis is important in reducing the appearance of scars, preventing hypertrophic healing from taking place, smoothing rough skin, and repairing the structure of aged skin. These roles of GHK-Cu are mediated partly through its ability to boost levels of transforming growth factor-B. It is likely that the peptide works through several different biochemical pathways and that it has effects and the level of gene transcription.

Research in mice shows that GHK-Cu increases the rate of healing following burn by as much as 33%. It appears that besides recruiting immune cells and fibroblasts to the site of injury, GHK-Cu also encourages the growth of blood vessels. Burned skin is often slow to regrow blood vessels due the cauterization effect, so these findings open up a new pathway for improving wound care in burn units and accelerating healing.

2. GHK-Cu and Bacteria

The invasion of tissue by foreign pathogens is one of the primary reasons that wounds are slow to heal or do not heal at all. Bacterial and fungal infections are particularly problematic in burn patients and in those with compromised immune systems (e.g. diabetes, HIV). GHK-Cu, when combined with certain fatty acids, creates a potent antimicrobial compound that is active against a number of bacteria and fungi known to complicate wound healing.

Research in diabetic patients has shown that GHK­-Cu is superior to standard care regimens alone in the treatment of diabetic ulcers. Patients given both standard care and GHK-Cu showed a ~40% increase in wound closure and a 27% decrease in rates of infection compared to control groups. Similar results were seen in patients with ischemic open wounds.

3. GHK-Cu, Cognition and Nervous System Function

The death of neurons due to degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s is poorly understood. This makes it difficult to develop treatments and those that are available are generally of limited efficacy. Research, however, suggests that GHK-Cu can counter the age-associated decline in neuron function that often underlies these diseases. Research shows that GHK-Cu can improve angiogenesis in the nervous system, boost nerve outgrowth, and reduce inflammation in the central nervous system. There is even evidence that GHK-Cu can reset pathological gene expression and help to recreate a state of health in dysfunctional systems.

GHK-Cu is found in high concentrations in the brain, though levels of the peptide decline with age. There is a thought, among scientists, that GHK-Cu may protect nervous system tissues against natural insults such as gene dysregulation and that it is the decline in GHK-Cu with age, and not the onset of new disease processes, that actually leads to neurodegeneration.

Research in rats indicates that one possible mechanism by which GHK-Cu protects brain tissue is by preventing apoptosis. This action appears to be mediated through the well-known miR-339- 59NEGFA pathway, which is active following brain bleeds and stroke. In the rat models, GHK-Cu improves neurological deficits in the brain, reduces swelling, and inhibits the death of neurons that is commonly brought about by overexpression of miR-339-5p.

4. GHK-Cu and Side Effects of Chemotherapy

Research in mice shows that GHK-Cu can protect the lungs against fibrosis that occurs following therapy with the cancer drug bleomycin. This could pave the way for using GHK-Cu as a chemotherapy adjuvant that allows doses of these life-saving medications to be increased without risk of increased side effects. The study went a step farther, than usual, by identifying the likely pathway by which GHKC-Cu protects against fibrosis. It appears that the peptide regulates TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels, both of which act as inflammatory molecules and affect the extracellular matrix and smooth muscle of the lung. By reducing inflammation in the lungs, GHK-Cu prevents fibrotic remodeling from taking place and improves collagen deposition.

Similar benefit of GHK-Cu in protecting lungs was found in mouse models of acute respiratory distress syndrome {ARDS), an inflammatory lung condition that can develop rapidly and be fatal. ARDS is associated with injury, infection, and certain drugs like those used in chemotherapy. Once again, GHK­-Cu appeared to mediate its effects through decreased TNF-alpha and IL-6 expression.

5. GHK-Cu and Pain Reduction

In rat models, the administration of GHK-Cu had a dose-dependent effect on pain-induced behavior. The peptide appears to have analgesic effects that are produced through increased levels of the natural painkiller L-lysine. Similar research has found that the peptide can also increase levels of L­-arginine, another analgesic amino acid. These findings open up new avenues for pain control that do not rely on addictive opiate medications or NSAIDs, which have been found to have negative effects on the heart.

GHK-Cu exhibits minimal side effects, low oral and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not scale to humans.

Article Author

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. Logan, M.D. Dr. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Scientific Journal Author

Loren Pickart, Ph.D.  has released 109 publications and is developing patents and analyzing GHK’s effects on human gene expression of 4,192 genes. In addition to GHK’s published potential uses on skin inflammation, metastatic cancer and COPD, it appears to have beneficial effects on other tissue systems such as the nervous system, gastrointestinal system, and mitochondrial system. His brief but detailed autobiography dives into the motivations and background behind his dedication to skin, anti-aging, and life-long training.

Loren Pickart, Ph.D is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of GHK-Cu. In no way is this
doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between Guide to Peptide and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide. Loren Pickart, Ph.D is listed in [1] [3] and [8] under the referenced citations.

Referenced Citations

1. L. Pickart, J. M. Vasquez-Soltero, and A. Margolina, “GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration,” BioMed Res. Int., vol. 2015, p. 648108, 2015. [BioMed Research International]
2. A. Gruchlik, E. Chodurek, and z. Dzierzewicz, “Effect of GLY-HIS-LYS and its copper complex on TGF-B secretion in normal human dermal fibroblasts,” Acta Pol. Pharm., vol. 71, no. 6, pp. 954-958, Dec. 2014. [PubMed]
3. L. Pickart and A. Margolina, “Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data,” Int. J. Mol. Sci., vol. 19, no. 7, Jul. 2018. [PubMed]
4. X. Wang et al., “GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis,” Wound Repair Regen. Off. Publ. Wound Heal. Soc. Eur. Tissue Repair Soc., vol. 25, no. 2, pp. 270-278, 2017. [PubMed]
5. M. Kukowska, M. Kukowska-Kaszuba, and K. Dzierzbicka, “In vitro studies of antimicrobial activity of Gly-His-Lys conjugates as potential and promising candidates for therapeutics in skin and tissue infections,” Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett., vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 542-546, Feb. 2015. [Science Direct]
6. G. D. Mulder et al., “Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-I-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. [PubMed]
7. S. 0. Canapp et al., “The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds,” Vet. Surg. VS, vol. 32, no. 6, pp. 515-523, Dec. 2003. [PubMed]
8. L. Pickart, J. M. Vasquez-Soltero, and A. Margolina, “The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline,” Brain Sci., vol. 7, no. 2, Feb. 2017. [PubMed]
9. H. Zhang, Y. Wang, and Z. He, “Glycine­-Histidine-Lysine (GHK) Alleviates Neuronal Apoptosis Due to lntracerebral Hemorrhage via the miR-339-5pNEGFA Pathway,” Front. Neurosci., vol. 12, p. 644, 2018. [PubMed]
10. X.-M. Zhou et al., “GHK Peptide Inhibits Bleomycin-lnduced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice by Suppressing TGFJ31/Smad-Mediated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition,” Front. Pharmacol., vol. 8, p. 904, 2017. [PubMed]
11. J.-R. Park, H. Lee, S.-1. Kim, and S.-R. Yang, “The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice,” Oncotarget, vol. 7, no. 36, pp. 58405-58417, Sep. 2016. [PubMed]
12. L. A. Sever’yanova and M. E. Dolgintsev, “Effects of Tripeptide Gly-His-Lys in Pain ­Induced Aggressive-Defensive Behavior in Rats,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 164, no. 2, pp. 140-143, Dec.2017. [Springer]
13. L.A. Sever’yanova and D. V. Plotnikov, “Binding of Glyprolines to L-Arginine Inverts Its Analgesic and Antiagressogenic Effects,” Bull. Exp. Biol. Med., vol. 165, no. 5, pp. 621 -24, Sep. 2018. [PubMed]