GHK-Cu
Also known as Copper tripeptide-1, Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper(II)
GHK-Cu is the copper(II) complex of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, a tripeptide found in human plasma. It is studied for effects on fibroblasts, collagen synthesis, wound healing and skin remodeling, and is used as a cosmetic ingredient.
Clinical-stage research
Size
2 options- Catalog no.
- CU
- Specification
- 50mg*10vials
- Per kit
- 10 vials
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Buyers must be 21 or older.
Overview
GHK was identified by Loren Pickart in 1973 as a factor in human plasma that prolonged survival of normal liver cells in culture, and was later shown to bind copper(II) with high affinity. The GHK sequence also occurs within extracellular matrix proteins, from which it may be released during tissue injury. Laboratory work has examined its effects on collagen, glycosaminoglycans, matrix metalloproteinases and gene expression. A multicenter controlled trial in the 1990s tested a GHK-Cu formulation in diabetic foot ulcers. GHK-Cu is widely used in cosmetic formulations but is not an approved drug.
Class: Copper-binding tripeptide
Mechanism of action
How the compound acts, as described in the literature.
Forms a high-affinity complex with copper(II) and is proposed to act partly by modulating copper availability to cells and to copper-dependent enzymes involved in matrix formation.
In fibroblast cultures, it stimulated collagen synthesis at picomolar to nanomolar concentrations without changing cell number; other studies report effects on glycosaminoglycan and decorin production.
Reported to modulate matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors, consistent with a role in extracellular matrix remodeling during wound repair.
Analyses of gene-expression databases suggest GHK is associated with expression changes in many human genes, a hypothesis-generating finding that has not been tested in controlled studies.
Published research
Selected studies, each linked to its PubMed record. Summaries describe what the studies reported.
1973
In vitro
PMID 4349963Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver.
Pickart L, et al. · Nat New Biol
Reported a tripeptide in human serum that prolonged survival of normal liver cells in culture and stimulated growth of neoplastic liver cells; this report introduced the plasma tripeptide now known as GHK.
1988
In vitro
PMID 3169264Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+.
Maquart FX, et al. · FEBS Lett
In fibroblast cultures, GHK-Cu stimulated collagen synthesis beginning at about 10⁻¹² to 10⁻¹¹ M and peaking near 10⁻⁹ M, without a change in cell number.
1994
Multicenter RCT
PMID 17147644Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine copper.
Mulder GD, et al. · Wound Repair Regen
In patients with diabetic neuropathic ulcers receiving standardized wound care, a GHK-Cu formulation increased median plantar ulcer closure versus vehicle (98.5% vs 60.8%) and was associated with fewer ulcer infections (7% vs 34%).
Evidence & safety
What the research does not show, and the adverse events and regulatory status it reports.
Human evidence is limited to a 1994 diabetic ulcer trial and small cosmetic studies, and no large controlled trials have been published since. Gene-expression findings are computational and hypothesis-generating. GHK-Cu is a cosmetic ingredient, not an approved drug; the studies reviewed report no specific safety signals, but systematic safety data are lacking.
Specifications
All sizes, exactly as catalogued.
| Catalog no. | Product | Specification | Vials per kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| CU | GHK-Cu | 50mg*10vials | 10 |
| CU100 | GHK-Cu | 100mg*10vials | 10 |
For laboratory research use only. Not for human or animal consumption. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Research summaries are provided for educational purposes and do not describe this product’s use.