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For research use only.

GHK-Cu

Copper-binding tripeptide · 3 amino acids
What it is

GHK-Cu is a tiny copper-binding tripeptide, glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine bound to copper, first studied as a plasma factor that helps cells grow and stick together.[1][2][3]

Origin: First described in 1973 by Pickart, Thayer, and Thaler as a synthetic tripeptide that helped normal liver cells survive in culture.[1] Later work showed the peptide associates with copper in plasma and can help cells take up copper.[2][3]

What researchers study it for

Research areas

Most of this research is in cells, wound chambers, and animal skin models.

  • Collagen production by fibroblasts in culture[4]
  • More new wound tissue, including collagen, in rat wound chambers[5][6]
  • Changes in wound glycosaminoglycans and small proteoglycans in rat wounds[6]
  • A gene-expression pattern tied to emphysema severity that GHK helped reverse in human lung fibroblasts in the lab[7]

Evidence level

Level 1 of 4: Lab and animal onlyPublished work is in cells and animal wound models, and FDA says human data for injectable GHK-Cu are limited.[5][7][8]

Why so few human trials?

Cautions

Studies and regulators point to several reasons for care.

  • FDA says there are limited data in humans to inform safety for injectable GHK-Cu[8]

GHK-Cu is not FDA approved as an injectable medicine.[8]

Also called

GHK-Cu goes by several names.

  • Glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(2+), or GHK-Cu2+[4][5]
  • GHL or Gly-His-Lys, the peptide without copper[2][3]

Often paired with

BPC-157 and TB-500. Together the three are known as the GLOW blend.

BPC-157TB-500Together:BlendGLOW blend →

Good to know

Early work suggested GHK may act in part by helping cells take up copper.[3]

Handling

Storage basics General

These general basics apply to most freeze-dried research peptides.

Most research peptides come as a freeze-dried powder in a sealed vial
Unmixed vials are generally kept cold, dry, and away from light
Mixed solutions are generally refrigerated, since they are less stable than the dry powder
Peptides 101For mixing basicsNPL Dose CalculatorTo work out concentration after mixing
Go deeper

Sources and studies

These studies and official pages are the research behind this profile.