Peptide Knowledge Center

GHK Tripeptide and Skin Research

GHK is a tripeptide molecule with the sequence of glycyl histidyl lysine. It naturally exists in human blood, saliva and urine. At the age of 20, the concentration of GHK in the blood was 200ng/mL (10-7M), and at the age of 60, the concentration dropped to 80ng/mL. This decline is directly related to the significant decline in the ability of human organ regeneration.


In 1973, Pickart first isolated GHK Cu, which was a tripeptide found in the study of active substances that also play a role in aging tissues and young tissues. Subsequent studies proved that the sequence of this tripeptide is glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, and it has strong affinity with copper ions, forming GHK Cu complex. It has been proved that GHK functions as a complex with copper ions.


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It has been proved that GHK Cu accelerates wound healing and contraction, improves the body's ability to accept skin grafts, and can play an anti-inflammatory role. Subsequent studies by Borel and Maquart et al demonstrated that GHK Cu can stimulate and destroy the synthesis of collagen and glycosaminoglycan at very low concentrations (1-10 nanomolar). GHK regulates the activity of metalloproteinases and their inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) as an important regulator of wound healing and skin regeneration.


GHK Cu activates the synthesis of collagen, dermatan sulfate, chitin sulfate, small molecule glycoprotein and glycoprotein. In 2001, McCormack et al. proved that after patients received radiotherapy and chemotherapy, fibroblasts with damaged DNA could regain their regenerative capacity.


GHK can also attract immune cells and endothelial cells exenatide impurities to migrate to the wound. The ability of GHK Cu to promote wound healing has been proved by many animal experiments. In rabbit experiments, GHK Cu can accelerate wound healing, promote angiogenesis, and increase the content of antioxidant enzymes in the blood. This molecule also induces wound healing in rats, mice and pigs. In the ischemic wound of diabetes rats, it can promote healing, reduce TNF alpha level and promote collagen synthesis. It can also promote healing of dog foot pad wounds. These skin regeneration documents expand the application of GHK in the beauty industry.


In recent years, GHK Cu has been widely publicized as a therapeutic ingredient in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, skin inflammation, metabolic colon cancer and other diseases. According to the literature, it can up regulate or down regulate nearly 4000 human genes, and it can restore DNA to a healthier state. These studies provide a new idea for skin remodeling.