Protocol Single compound
GHK-Cu
Copper tripeptide-1
Copper-binding tripeptide studied for collagen synthesis, wound healing and skin remodeling.
Compare side by side →Compared with:BPC-157 vs GHK-Cu
Protocol card · research reference
- Starting dose
- 1 mg
- Studied range
- 1–2 mg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Cycle
- 4–8 weeks
Reconstitution reference
Storage: Powder: 2–8 °C, or −20 °C for longer storage. After mixing with BAC water: 2–8 °C, use within about 4 weeks.
GHK-Cu
Once daily · units to draw on a U-100 syringe for a 1 mg dose.
| Vial | BAC water | mg/mL | Draw | Doses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 mg | 1 mL | 50 | 2 u | 50 |
| 50 mg | 2 mL | 25 | 4 u | 50 |
| 50 mg | 3 mL | 16.67 | 6 u | 50 |
| 100 mg | 1 mL | 100 | 1 u | 100 |
| 100 mg | 2 mL | 50 | 2 u | 100 |
| 100 mg | 3 mL | 33.33 | 3 u | 100 |
Calculate your vial
Draw to
—units
= — mL on a U-100 syringe
- Concentration
- —
- Per unit
- —
- Doses / vial
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Research dossier · published literature summary
01
Mechanism of action
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is an endogenous tripeptide found in human plasma, saliva and urine that binds Cu(II) with high affinity. The GHK-Cu complex is studied as a copper-delivery and signaling molecule: in fibroblast cultures it stimulates collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, modulates metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, and gene-expression analyses associate GHK with shifts in many genes linked to tissue remodeling, antioxidant response and inflammation.
Contrast: GHK-Cu works locally through copper signaling, while tesamorelin stimulates pituitary GH release via the GHRH receptor.
Compare with Tesamorelin →02
Observed research endpoints
- Increased collagen synthesis in cultured human fibroblasts at nanomolar concentrations (in vitro).
- Enhanced wound contraction, angiogenesis and extracellular-matrix deposition in animal wound models.
- Connectivity Map analyses link GHK to reversal of gene-expression signatures associated with tissue damage and aging.
- Topical cosmetic studies report changes in skin density, elasticity and fine-line measurements.
Compare tissue remodeling endpoints here with tesamorelin's visceral- and liver-fat endpoints from randomized trials.
Compare with Tesamorelin →03
Regulatory & safety context
- Used as an ingredient in topical cosmetic products; not approved by the FDA as a drug for any indication.
- Most mechanistic evidence is from cell culture and animal models; controlled human data are largely limited to topical cosmetic studies.
- Plasma GHK levels are reported to decline with age, a basis for its study in aging research.
Unlike GHK-Cu, tesamorelin has an FDA-approved indication with labeled limits.
Compare with Tesamorelin →04
Citations
- Pickart L, Thaler MM. Tripeptide in human serum which prolongs survival of normal liver cells and stimulates growth in neoplastic liver. Nature New Biology. 1973;243(124):85–87.1973-06In vitro cell-culture studyRead paper ↗
- Maquart FX, et al. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Letters. 1988;238(2):343–346.1988-10In vitro fibroblast studyRead paper ↗
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration. BioMed Research International. 2015;2015:648108.2015Narrative reviewRead paper ↗
- 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;19(7):1987.2018-07Narrative review (incl. gene-expression data)Read paper ↗
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