OVERVIEW

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring peptide found in human blood plasma, urine, and saliva. Research suggests that this copper-binding peptide plays a crucial role in wound healing, immune support, and skin health by promoting collagen production, fibroblast activation, and blood vessel formation.

Additionally, GHK-Cu functions as a regulatory signal following tissue injury, helping to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. It also exhibits strong antioxidant properties, which aid in protecting cells from free-radical damage.

Due to these effects, GHK-Cu has gained significant interest in anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, and regenerative medicine.

RESEARCH

GHK-Cu and Skin Regeneration

GHK-Cu plays an essential role in skin healing and repair. Studies show that it:

• Stimulates collagen production while also enhancing its breakdown for remodeling.
• Boosts glycosaminoglycan synthesis, which improves skin hydration and elasticity.
• Increases fibroblast activity, accelerating the healing process.
• Promotes angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) at wound sites.

Because of these regenerative properties, GHK-Cu is widely used in skincare and cosmetic formulations. Research indicates it can:

• Enhance skin elasticity, firmness, and hydration.
• Reduce sun damage, hyperpigmentation, and oxidative stress.
• Diminish fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.

Animal studies have demonstrated that GHK-Cu accelerates wound healing by 33%, particularly in burn injuries, by enhancing blood vessel formation and tissue repair.

GHK-Cu’s Antimicrobial Effects

Infections can significantly delay wound healing. Research suggests that GHK-Cu combined with fatty acids creates a potent antimicrobial compound that combats bacteria and fungi responsible for wound infections.

In clinical studies involving diabetic patients, GHK-Cu:

• Increased wound closure rates by 40%.
• Reduced infection rates by 27% compared to conventional treatments.

GHK-Cu and Cognitive Function

GHK-Cu may also play a role in neuroprotection and brain health, with potential implications for Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. Studies indicate it can:

• Promote nerve outgrowth and regeneration.
• Improve blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) in neural tissues.
• Reduce inflammation in brain cells, which is linked to age-related cognitive decline.
• Reset pathological gene expression associated with aging brains.

Interestingly, GHK-Cu levels decline significantly with age, which has led researchers to explore its connection to neurodegeneration and cognitive disorders.

GHK-Cu and Chemotherapy Side Effects

Research in animal models suggests that GHK-Cu may protect against chemotherapy-induced lung damage:

• A mouse study showed that GHK-Cu prevented lung fibrosis caused by the chemotherapy drug bleomycin.
• It appears to regulate TNF-alpha and IL-6, two inflammatory molecules involved in lung injury and fibrosis.

In acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) models, GHK-Cu reduced inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress, suggesting potential applications in lung disease management.

GHK-Cu and Pain Management

Animal research suggests that GHK-Cu may act as a natural pain reliever by influencing L-lysine and L-arginine levels, two amino acids involved in pain modulation.

These findings indicate that GHK-Cu could be a potential alternative to opioids and NSAIDs for managing pain without harmful side effects.

STRUCTURE

• Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₂₃CuN₆O₄
• Molecular Weight: 340.38 g/mol
• Amino Acid Sequence: Gly-His-Lys.Cu.xHAc
• CAS Registry Number: 89030-95-5
• PubChem Identifier: 73587

CITATIONS

1. Pickart L., Vasquez-Soltero J. M., Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. BioMed Research International (2015).
2. Gruchlik A., Chodurek E., Dzierzewicz Z. Effect of GLY-HIS-LYS and its copper complex on TGF-β secretion in normal human dermal fibroblasts. Acta Pol. Pharm. (2014).
3. Pickart L., Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2018).
4. Wang X. et al. GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Wound Repair Regeneration (2017).
5. Kukowska M., Kukowska-Kaszuba M., Dzierzbicka K. In vitro studies of antimicrobial activity of Gly-His-Lys conjugates. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters (2015).
6. Mulder G. D. et al. Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper. Wound Repair Regeneration (1994).
7. Canapp S. O. et al. The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds.Veterinary Surgery (2003).
8. Pickart L., Vasquez-Soltero J. M., Margolina A. The Effect of the Human Peptide GHK on Gene Expression Relevant to Nervous System Function and Cognitive Decline. Brain Sciences (2017).
9. Zhang H., Wang Y., He Z. Glycine-Histidine-Lysine (GHK) Alleviates Neuronal Apoptosis Due to Intracerebral Hemorrhage via the miR-339-5p/VEGFA Pathway. Frontiers in Neuroscience (2018).
10. Zhou X-M. et al. GHK Peptide Inhibits Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice by Suppressing TGFβ1/Smad-Mediated Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition. Frontiers in Pharmacology (2017).
11. Park J-R., Lee H., Kim S-I., Yang S-R. The tri-peptide GHK-Cu complex ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice. Oncotarget (2016).
12. Sever’yanova L. A., Dolgintsev M. E. Effects of Tripeptide Gly-His-Lys in Pain-Induced Aggressive-Defensive Behavior in Rats. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2017).
13. Sever’yanova L. A., Plotnikov D. V. Binding of Glyprolines to L-Arginine Inverts Its Analgesic and Antiagressogenic Effects. Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2018).