GHK-Cu

GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper) is a naturally occurring tripeptide with a remarkably high affinity for copper(II) ions. It functions as a matrikine — a small peptide derived from extracellular matrix proteins that signals tissue repair and remodelling processes.

The peptide activates multiple regenerative pathways simultaneously. It stimulates collagen types I and III synthesis, increases elastin production, and promotes glycosaminoglycan (GAG) accumulation — including hyaluronic acid — in the extracellular matrix. Through TGF-beta modulation, it regulates the balance between tissue deposition and degradation, promoting remodelling rather than fibrosis.

GHK-Cu also acts as a potent antioxidant by modulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) and serves as an anti-inflammatory agent by suppressing the production of TGF-beta 1 and other fibrotic cytokines. Recent genomic studies have shown it can reset the expression of over 4,000 genes toward a healthier, younger state — affecting DNA repair pathways, oxidative stress response, and stem cell biology. This broad gene-resetting capability is unique among peptides and underlies its diverse applications in skin science, wound healing, and hair follicle research.

GHK-Cu was first identified in human plasma in 1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart, who observed that plasma from young individuals (age 20-25) could stimulate older liver cells to produce proteins characteristic of younger tissue. The active factor was isolated and identified as a tripeptide complexed with copper.

Since its discovery, over 70 published studies have investigated GHK-Cu's properties. Research in the 1980s-1990s focused on wound healing and skin biology, establishing its role in collagen synthesis and tissue remodelling. The 2010s brought a revolution when broad gene expression studies revealed GHK-Cu could modulate thousands of genes — far more than expected for such a small molecule — opening new avenues in anti-aging, regenerative medicine, and cancer biology research.