GHK-Cu
The copper(II) complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine, known by the INN prezatide copper acetate. Widely used as a cosmetic ingredient; studied in wound-healing models.
| Total citations | 4 |
|---|---|
| Human clinical studies | 0 |
| Animal models | 3 |
| In vitro studies | 0 |
| Reviews / meta-analyses | 1 |
Mechanism of action
GHK binds copper(II) with high affinity and acts as a physiological copper carrier, facilitating copper delivery to cells. In fibroblast culture and rodent wound models the complex modulates extracellular matrix turnover — stimulating MMP-2 expression and altering the balance of metalloproteinases, TIMPs, glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans.
Reported downstream effects include increased collagen and decorin synthesis. Transcriptomic analyses describe broad modulation of tissue-remodelling and antioxidant gene programmes, though much of this work comes from a single group.
Peer-reviewed literature
Study type is tagged on every entry so animal and in-vitro findings are never mistaken for human clinical evidence.
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
Reviews the proposed roles of GHK in skin remodelling, copper transport and gene expression modulation.
Expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinases in wounds: modulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+
In a rat wound model, GHK-Cu altered MMP and TIMP expression, indicating a role in controlled matrix remodelling.
The effect of topical tripeptide-copper complex on healing of ischemic open wounds
Topical application accelerated closure of ischaemic open wounds relative to control in an animal model.
Tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu (II) transiently improved healing outcome in a rat model of ACL reconstruction
Improvement in graft healing was observed early but was not sustained, illustrating the limits of the effect.