Short answer
GHK-Cu is the copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl histidyl lysine, a naturally occurring human plasma peptide with a large preclinical literature in skin and connective tissue models. AHK-Cu is the copper complex of alanyl histidyl lysine, a related but far less studied tripeptide that appears mostly in hair follicle and dermal cell work.
GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu are both copper binding tripeptides, which is where the similarity stops being useful. The sequences differ, the research literature differs sharply in volume, and the handling notes that matter in a laboratory differ too.
What is GHK-Cu?
GHK-Cu is the copper bound form of glycyl histidyl lysine, a tripeptide identified in human plasma and described in the literature as declining in concentration with age. Its research record covers collagen related gene expression, wound models and dermal cell work, and is by some distance the larger of the two.
Vitality Peps supplies it as a 100mg vial and as a prepared pen for research that needs a fixed prepared solution.
What is AHK-Cu?
AHK-Cu is the copper bound form of alanyl histidyl lysine. Substituting alanine for glycine changes the complex and, more importantly for a researcher, changes which published models the compound appears in.
The available work centres on hair follicle and dermal papilla cell cultures. It is a smaller literature, so conclusions drawn from GHK-Cu studies do not transfer to it.
| Property | GHK-Cu | AHK-Cu |
|---|---|---|
| Sequence | Glycine histidine lysine | Alanine histidine lysine |
| Copper complex | Yes | Yes |
| Literature volume | Extensive | Limited |
| Common research models | Dermal and connective tissue | Hair follicle and dermal papilla cells |
| Formats stocked | 100mg vial and prepared pen | 50mg vial |
How do they compare side by side?
- Sequence: glycine histidine lysine for GHK-Cu, alanine histidine lysine for AHK-Cu.
- Literature volume: extensive for GHK-Cu, limited for AHK-Cu.
- Typical research models: dermal and connective tissue for GHK-Cu, follicle and papilla cell cultures for AHK-Cu.
- Formats stocked: 100mg vial and pen for GHK-Cu, 50mg vial for AHK-Cu.
What should be checked on arrival?
Check the batch documentation for the specific vial rather than the compound in general, confirm the stated mass on the label before calculating concentration, and record the reconstitution date. Copper peptides are no exception to the standard documentation routine.
Research use only
GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu are supplied by Vitality Peps for in vitro laboratory research only. Not for human or veterinary consumption.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu?
One amino acid and a great deal of literature. GHK-Cu carries glycine in the first position and is the copper peptide with the broad published record in dermal and connective tissue research. AHK-Cu carries alanine in that position and appears in a much smaller set of studies, mainly in hair follicle and dermal papilla cell models.
Do both actually contain copper?
Yes. Both are supplied as copper complexes, which is what the Cu suffix denotes. The copper ion is part of the complex rather than an additive, and it is the reason both solutions carry a blue colour once reconstituted.
Which formats are stocked?
GHK-Cu is supplied as a 100mg lyophilised vial and as a prepared 100 pen. AHK-Cu is supplied as a 50mg lyophilised vial. Vial masses differ, so concentration is calculated per product.
Do copper peptides need special handling?
They follow the same conservative protocol as other lyophilised research peptides: cold, dark storage, reconstitution with bacteriostatic water and refrigeration afterwards. The blue tint of a reconstituted copper peptide solution is expected and is not a purity signal on its own.
For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. This article is educational and references published laboratory research; it is not medical advice and does not describe an approved use of any compound.