Community protocol
Third-partyGHK-CU 100mg
- 01Reconstitution solution
- 3 mL
- 02Dose
- 1.66 mg
- 03Syringe units
- 5 units
- 04Frequency
- 2x/week
- 05Cycle length
- 90 days
- 06Bacteriostatic water
- 3 mL
- 07Bottle size
- 100 mg
- 08Bottles needed
- 1
GHK-Cu
A naturally occurring human plasma tripeptide with copper affinity. Best evidence is in topical dermatology; systemic use has no controlled human trial support.
Overview
GHK-Cu is a three-amino-acid peptide that occurs naturally in human blood and binds copper tightly. Copper is required by several enzymes involved in building and remodelling connective tissue. Levels of this peptide fall substantially with age, which is the observation that drove interest in it. Most of the good human evidence is for topical skin application, not injection.
GHK is the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, present in human plasma at roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 and declining to around 80 ng/mL by age 60. It binds Cu(II) with high affinity at physiological pH through the imidazole nitrogen of histidine and the alpha-amino and amide nitrogens, forming a square-planar complex that can shuttle copper across membranes. Documented activities include stimulation of collagen I, elastin, decorin and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in dermal fibroblasts; modulation of metalloproteinase and TIMP expression; and copper delivery to lysyl oxidase and superoxide dismutase. Broad transcriptomic analysis in human fibroblasts reported significant modulation of more than 4,000 genes at nanomolar concentrations, with shifts toward tissue remodelling and antioxidant programmes.
Research areas
DermatologyWound healingHairAnti-fibrotic
Community-specified data
Community dosage information
Not medical guidance. These third-party figures have not been independently verified, clinically reviewed, or endorsed by DB Peptide. They may be inaccurate or unsafe and should not replace product labelling or advice from a qualified clinician.
Dosing reported in the literature
Every protocol below is reproduced from a published study or approved labelling, with its source named. These are records of what was studied — not recommendations, and not a suggestion that any of them is appropriate for any person.
| Protocol as reported | Source |
|---|---|
| Topical creams in the 1–3 ppm copper peptide range applied twice daily over 12 weeksTopical study design. Concentration figures do not translate to any systemic dose. | Finkey et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 2005 (abstract) |
| Topical application to wound sites in comparative healing studies | Mulder et al., Wound Repair and Regeneration 1994 |
Trial status
Multiple small randomized controlled trials of topical formulations in dermatology and wound healing. No controlled trials of systemic administration.
Discovery
CompletedIsolated from human plasma as the factor responsible for increased albumin synthesis in aged liver tissue cultures.
Topical dermatology trials
CompletedSeveral small randomized and controlled facial studies reported improvements in skin density, fine lines and photodamage versus vehicle or comparator.
Systemic trials
NoneNo registered controlled trials of injected GHK-Cu in humans.
Reported safety signals
- Topical use is well tolerated in published studies; irritation is the most commonly reported effect.
- Systemic administration raises copper-loading concerns that have not been evaluated in human studies.
- Copper peptides are chemically incompatible with several common topical actives, including direct vitamin C formulations, which can strip the copper from the complex.
Common questions
Does topical evidence support injecting it?
No. The controlled human evidence for GHK-Cu is topical, where the compound acts locally on dermal fibroblasts at the application site. Systemic administration is a different exposure profile with different pharmacokinetics and different copper-loading considerations, and it has not been studied in controlled human trials.
Primary sources
- 01
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
- 02
The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging
- 03
Treatment of nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers with a copper-based dressing
- 04
Analysis of the transcriptional activity of the human tripeptide GHK
Medical disclaimer
This page is for informational and research purposes only. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. The compounds discussed are research chemicals. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any protocol.
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