GHK-Cu (Copper) (50mg)

DESCRIPTION

GHK-Cu (Copper) Peptide

GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper-binding peptide composed of 3 amino acids, i.e. glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine.⁽¹⁾ -Cu refers to the chemical addition of copper. GHK-Cu (Copper) is a small tripeptide found in plasma and reportedly releases at the time of injury. The concentration of GHK-Cu declines with age. At 20 years, the average concentration of GHK-Cu of 200 ng/mL declines to 80 ng/mL by 60 years.⁽¹⁾

Studies⁽⁴⁾ have suggested when the plasma GHK peptide is added to the cell culture in nanomolar amounts; the peptide has the potential to induce a wide range of responses from growth stimulation to toxic cell differentiation. During the isolation of the peptide, researchers suggested that it exhibited potential chelating properties and might co-isolate with almost the same amount of copper ions and a fifth of the amount of iron found in the cells. When the peptide was incubated in the isolated cells as a bound complex with copper and iron molecules, maximal potential was reported.

Overview

Studies⁽⁵⁾ have suggested that the peptide exhibits potential in gene expression and may to reset elements of the genome. By this potential mechanism, GHK-Cu peptide may restore impaired cells, including carcinogenic cells and COPD cells. GHK-Cu peptide has been researched for its potential across a variety of functions⁽¹⁾ including that it may tighten and reverse the thinning of aging skin structure, supporting the extracellular matrix, that it may restore the skin barrier and moderate texture, hyperpigmentation and lesions, may support tissue repair and mitigate inflammation, may stimulate increasing hair follicle size, may exert antioxidant properties and, finally, may exhibit gene restructuring potential.

Specifications

Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₂₃CuN₆O₄
Molecular Weight: 340.38 g/mol
Other Known Titles: glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-copper 2+

Research and Clinical Studies

GHK Peptide Initial Research

This 1980s study⁽⁶⁾ suggested the biological potential of the naturally occurring peptide in tissue repair. GHK peptide may host copper (II) ions due to possible copper affinity and may thereby stimulate the synthesis of collagen and increase the accumulation of total proteins and DNA at the injury site. Dermal wounded rats were used for this study. At the time of injury, the release of GHK peptide was induced. ‘Emergency response molecules’ were released from the matrix at the site of injury. Once released, GHK appeared to bind with Cu ions found in the blood and then stimulate the synthesis of decorin protein. Decorin protein is responsible for the synthesis of collagen and regulation of wound healing and anti-tumor defense mechanism. Further studies in the 2000s,⁽⁷⁾ suggested that the GHK-Cu peptide hosts the potential to not only stimulate the collagen synthesis but also stimulate the production of tissue inhibitors, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2.