GHK-Cu (2mg x 60 Capsules) (Copper Tripeptide)

GHK-Cu: Copper Tripeptide

GHK-Cu is a natural peptide that forms an ionic complex with copper in human plasma. First isolated in 1973, GHK-Cu has been the subject of extensive research over the decades. It is thought that the primary role of GHK-Cu is to facilitate copper uptake by cells and control copper sequestration, but the properties of the peptide appear to be more extensive than that. GHK-Cu has been shown to impact wound healing, immune function, free-radical scavenging, protein synthesis, nerve growth, blood vessel health, and the aging process.

Most work has focused on wound healing and skin health, with GHK-Cu showing a remarkable ability to increase collage and elastin production, stimulate blood vessel growth, lower inflammation, and increase the anti-oxidant response. Research in animals suggests that GHK-Cu supplementation can more than double the rate of wound healing[1]. Recently, a limited number of animal studies have indicated that GHK-Cu might have an effect on DNA expression to the point that it may partially reverse cognitive impairment in mice and slow the progression of (or even prevent) certain diseases associated with aging.

The Role of Natural GHK-Cu

Normal levels of GHK-Cu in human blood are approximately 200 ng/mL at the age of 20. This level, drops, however, with age. By 60, most people have just 80 ng/mL of GHK-Cu circulating in their blood[2]. It is thought that the reduction in GHK-Cu with age might be one of the reasons that we experience impaired wound healing and reduced immune function as we age. Declines in GHK-Cu are also associated with increased inflammation and a decrease in the normal anti-oxidant response.

Research shows that GHK-Cu helps to direct repair cells of the immune system (e.g., macrophages, mast cells, and endothelial cells) to the sites where they are needed. It also suppresses free radicals, increases blood vessel dilation, and helps to protect DNA from the effects of UV radiation and x-rays. There is even evidence showing that GHK-Cu can improve skin function and elasticity, promote hair growth, and reduce the incidence of stomach/intestinal ulcers[3].

GHK-Cu and Aging

Given the wide array of benefits that GHK-Cu has, it should come as no surprise that the short peptide has been extensively studied for its anti-aging capabilities. Its anti-oxidant properties alone make GHK-Cu a primary candidate for study in longevity and aging research, but research tells us that the anti-aging potential of GHK-Cu goes much deeper.

As an anti-inflammatory, GHK-Cu has been shown to be a quencher of the toxic byproducts of certain metabolic processes. In particular, GHK-Cu helps to rid the body of toxic leftovers from lipid degradation, leftovers that have been associated with diabetes and neurodegenerative disease. Research in mice and non-human primates has shown that GHK-Cu decreases inflammation in the brain and may trigger an epigenetic pathway that dampens that impact of cognitive diseases.

The peptide has been shown to reduce reactive oxygen species (free radicals) while also suppressing TNF-α and IL-6 inflammatory signaling. These features make GHK-Cu a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the body against the negative effect of reactive oxygen species that can lead to cell and DNA damage. Research using skin, lung, liver, and gastric tissue has shown that GHK-Cu doesn’t simply protect cells from oxidative damage, however. The small peptide appears to increase tissue regeneration following injury as well, helping to limit the long-term effects of damage and thus reverse the aging process to some extent.

Perhaps most encouraging to anti-aging researchers, however, is the effect that GHK-Cu has on molecules thought to accelerate diseases of aging. Research shows that GHK-Cu can suppress the activity of NFκB, provide a boost to DNA repair enzymes, and even enhance natural cell-cleaning processes carried out by proteasomes[4].

GHK-Cu and DNA Processes

As noted above, GHK-Cu appears to have important effects on disease of aging and at least some of these effects appear to be mediated by the peptide’s impact on the structure and expression of DNA. Research shows that at least some of the aging process is a direct result of changes in activity of the genome (our collective set of DNA). Basically, with aging comes an increase in genes that promote inflammation and tissue destruction. This increase in negative gene effects is accompanied by a decrease in the activity of regenerative and reparative genes. It’s a real one-two hit.

GHK-Cu can be thought of as resetting the imbalance in the genome, helping to restore positive gene effects and reducing negative gene effects. In fact, research from the Broad Institute shows that GHK-Cu alters the expression patterns of 32.1% of all human genes. In other words, GHK-Cu changes how roughly one third of our DNA works[8].

GHK-Cu Administration

In most studies, GHK-Cu is administered via Sub-Q, intravenous or intraperitoneal administration. Research shows that regardless of where or how the peptide is administered, it is distributed throughout the body systemically and makes its way to areas where it can be of use. Thus, administration of GHK-Cu into one leg will result in improved wound healing in the other.

Of course, intravenous administration can be a difficult way to administer anything, particularly in animal trials. As a short peptide, GHK-Cu should be robustly absorbed in the GI tract and easily transported throughout the bloodstream. Research shows that small peptides are easily taken up via both active transporter and through extracellular absorption in the GI tract[15].

Of importance in the absorption studies is that most peptides are taken up in the small intestine and thus must survive the harsh conditions of the stomach before they will be absorbed. This is a simple enough problem to solve in the modern era with the use of enteric coatings on capsules. The availability of GHK-Cu in such formulations is limited, but can greatly aid in research settings both by facilitating easy administration and by decreasing equipment costs and time invested in IV or intraperitoneal administration.

GHK-Cu Summary

GHK-Cu is a small, naturally occurring peptide with the ability to attenuate inflammation, improve anti-oxidant responses, and alter gene expression on a large scale. Research shows that this copper-chelating peptide may be of critical importance both in the prevention of neurodegenerative disease and as a tool for exploring pathophysiological mechanisms. Studies in mice have revealed that GHK-Cu can protect against neurological insults, improve wound healing, reduce rates of infection, and boost blood vessel growth. The peptide has been of interest in recent years for its anti-oxidant properties that, in combination with its ability to alter gene expression patterns, appear to help slow or even reverse some aspects of aging.

Storage Instructions:

All of our products are manufactured using the Lyophilization (Freeze Drying) process, which ensures that our products remain 100% stable for shipping 3-4 months reconstituted (mixed with bacteriostatic water) to maintain stability. After reconstitution, the peptides will remain stable for up to 30 days.

Lyophilization is a unique dehydration process, also known as cryodesiccation, where the peptides are frozen and then subjected to low pressure. This causes the water in the peptide vial to sublimate directly from solid to gas, leaving behind a stable, crystalline white structure known as lyophilized peptide. The puffy white powder can be stored at room temperature until you're ready to reconstitute it with bacteriostatic water.

Once peptides have been received, it is imperative that they are kept cold and away from light. If the peptides will be used immediately, or in the next several days, weeks or months, short-term refrigeration under 4C (39F) is generally acceptable. Lyophilized peptides are usually stable at room temperatures for several weeks or more, so if they will be utilized within weeks or months such storage is typically adequate.

However, for longer term storage (several months to years) it is more preferable to store peptides in a freezer at -80C (-112F). When storing peptides for months or even years, freezing is optimal in order to preserve the peptide’s stability.