GHK-Cu Peptide: Skin, Inflammation, and More

Studies suggest that among the many properties hypothesized by research on GHK-Cu may be:

 
●        Possible tissue repair and restoration

●        Safeguarding cells

●        Activities that reduce inflammation

Even though this copper peptide has garnered much attention, little is known about its optimal experimental status. What follows is an outline of the most important facts researchers need to know about this potent peptide, along with a GHK-Cu guide, properties, mechanisms of action, and instructions on how and where to get it online.

GHK-Cu Peptide: What is it?

GHK-Cu is a peptide or short chain of amino acids containing glycine, histidine, and lysine. These three amino acids combine to produce GHK, which is glycyl-l histidyl-l-lysine. GHK Cu is formed when GHK readily binds to copper. For this reason, it goes by the names copper peptide and copper tripeptide. GHK-Cu is found in saliva, blood, and urine as it is a naturally occurring nutrient.

GHK-Cu seems to be involved in DNA repair in cells to a considerable extent. DNA serves as a basic blueprint when cells divide to make new cells. Impaired cell duplication and the inability to produce new tissue may arise from DNA damage, a natural part of cell aging. Research suggests that GHK-Cu may improve tissue formation by repairing and resetting the DNA. The expression of genes that contribute to inflammatory responses and tissue damage increases over time. The activity of the genes responsible for tissue regeneration and repair decreases. GHK-Cu seems to be useful for reversing this process.

Investigations purport it does this by turning on genes that repair damage and turning off genes that cause inflammation. Additionally, GHK-Cu is hypothesized to be involved in several other processes that may facilitate the formation of new tissues, including:

●        Potentially getting skin cells to produce more collagen.

●        Potentially getting more protein to build up.

●        Potentially motivating the organism to produce more decorin.

●        Potentially prompting the production of metalloproteinases.

●        Potentially reducing levels of interleukin-6, an inflammatory cytokine.

●        Potentially arousing genes involved in antioxidant defense.

GHK-Cu is thought to aid in the organism's natural processes of cellular turnover, DNA repair, and the production of new, functional cells.

GHK-Cu Peptide Potential

Findings imply that the presentation of GHK-Cu may have several possible properties. The following are some of the possible properties listed in the literature:

 

●       Possible anti-pain mechanism

●       Possible reductory effects on stress hormone secretion

●       Possible defense against free radicals

●       Possible gut and lung tissue regeneration

●       Possible follicle development and growth

●       Possible rejuvination of skin cell functionality

●       Possible cellular reorganization

●       Possible impact on germs and the decrease of infections

●       Possible repair of injured nerves

The primary possible properties of GHK-Cu will be discussed in more detail below.

 
GHK-Cu Peptide and Skin Cells

GHK-Cu is hypothesized to have " anti-aging " properties within skin cells, perhaps its most widely discussed research hypothesis. Research into the peptide's potential action on skin cells is warranted even though no known approach has been able to "de-age" any organ, including the skin.

One research study in mice indicated that GHK-Cu may promote cell proliferation and angiogenesis, which speeds up the healing of scald wounds. Scientists speculate there may be short-term potential to promote angiogenesis and cell proliferation regarding tissue repair, but this might be a double-edged sword since these mechanisms start and spread many malignancies. One research asserted that after 12 weeks of presentation with GHK-Cu, sun-damaged skin cells indicated no further markers of cell aging.

Another compound that included retinoic acid, vitamin K, and vitamin C was speculated to be inferior to the peptide. Regarding published studies evaluating GHK-Cu, the following were theorized in a publication by Pickart et al. (2015):

 
●       the peptide may have induced constriction of the dermal layer

●       increase in the skin's density

●       Minuscule lines and deep wrinkles were abated

●       Minimized sun damage and hyperpigmentation

 
GHK-Cu Peptide and Wounds

Scientists speculate the peptide may have a role in healing ulcers, renewing lung tissue, helping wounds seal more quickly, and reducing infection risk. Protein synthesis, DNA repair, and increased amounts of antioxidant enzymes are the mechanisms by which it has been asserted to achieve these goals. Additional studies have suggested that GHK-Cu peptide may inhibit cancer cell development and stop it in its infancy.

GHK-Cu Peptide and Hair Follicles

Several studies have suggested promise for GHK's potential to promote hair growth. Research purports that GHK-Cu may promote thicker and more abundant follicle growth in hair and fur by expanding the size of the hair follicles. This study speculates a promising new direction for investigating the potential properties of GHK-Cu in research models of hair follicle reduction or total follicle loss.

GHK-Cu Peptide and Muscle Cells

Published results of experimental studies have not brought up claims that GHK-Cu may promote muscular development. Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, GHK-Cu has been hypothesized to shorten recovery time within the cells. More study is required in this area.

Researchers and licensed professionals are encouraged to buy peptides for their research from trusted, high-quality sources such as Biotech Peptides.

 
References


[i] Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 7;19(7):1987. doi: 10.3390/ijms19071987. PMID: 29986520; PMCID: PMC6073405.

[ii] Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2014). GHK and DNA: resetting the human genome to health. BioMed Research International,151479. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/151479

[iii] Maquart, F. X., Pickart, L., Laurent, M., Gillery, P., Monboisse, J. C., & Borel, J. P. (1988). Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide‐copper complex glycyl‐L‐histidyl‐L‐lysine‐ Cu2+. FEBS letters, 238(2), 343-346. doi:10.1016/0014-5793(88)80509-x

[iv] Siméon, A., Wegrowski, Y., Bontemps, Y., & Maquart, F. X. (2000). Expression of glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide–copper complex glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine[1]Cu2+. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 115(6), 962-968.

[v] Pickart, L., Vasquez-Soltero, J. M., & Margolina, A. (2015). GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International, 648108. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/648108

[vi] Mulder, G. D., Patt, L. M., Sanders, L., Rosenstock, J., Altman, M. I., Hanley, M. E., & Duncan, G. W. (1994). Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl‐l‐histidyl‐l‐lysine copper. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 2(4), 259- 269.

[vii] Ahmed, M. R., Basha, S. H., Gopinath, D., Muthusamy, R., & Jayakumar, R. (2005). Initial upregulation of growth factors and inflammatory mediators during nerve regeneration in the presence of cell adhesive peptide‐incorporated collagen tubes. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 10(1), 17-30.

[viii] Wang X, Liu B, Xu Q, Sun H, Shi M, Wang D, Guo M, Yu J, Zhao C, Feng B. GHK-Cu-liposomes accelerate scald wound healing in mice by promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Wound Repair Regen. 2017 Apr;25(2):270-278. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12520. Epub 2017 Apr 27. PMID: 28370978.