Short answer
GHK-Cu is the copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl histidyl lysine, a sequence found naturally in human plasma. It is studied in dermal fibroblast, collagen synthesis and matrix remodelling models, where the bound copper ion is treated as part of the active species. It is supplied at high vial mass, so concentration must be recalculated rather than copied from a 10mg peptide.
GHK-Cu is the most studied copper peptide and the one most often described loosely. This explainer covers the molecule, the role of the copper ion and what the published record supports.
What exactly is the molecule?
GHK is a tripeptide, glycyl L histidyl L lysine, first isolated from human plasma. GHK-Cu is that tripeptide in complex with a copper two plus ion, which the histidine and lysine side chains hold tightly.
The complex, rather than the free peptide, is what research suppliers provide and what the majority of published in vitro work uses.
Which research pathways involve it?
- Collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in cultured dermal fibroblasts.
- Matrix metalloproteinase and tissue inhibitor balance, that is, matrix remodelling.
- Angiogenesis markers including VEGF output.
- Broad gene expression profiling in skin cell models.
Why the vial mass changes the arithmetic
Copper peptides are supplied at far higher masses than most research peptides. A 100mg vial reconstituted with the volume normally used for a 10mg peptide gives a solution ten times more concentrated than expected.
Recalculate every time with the reconstitution calculator using the actual vial mass printed on the label.
Which formats exist?
- GHK-Cu 100mg lyophilised vial for laboratory reconstitution.
- GHK-cu pen 100mg, a prepared presentation with fixed concentration.
- AHK-Cu 50mg, the closely related copper tripeptide, for comparative work.
What the evidence does not establish
The bulk of the record is in vitro and topical cosmetic science. There is no marketing authorisation for a medicinal use in the European Union, and no clinical outcome claim can be drawn from the literature described here.
Research use only
GHK-Cu supplied by Vitality Peps is for in vitro laboratory research only. Not a medicine, not a supplement, not for human or veterinary consumption. Nothing above is dosing guidance.
Frequently asked questions
What is GHK-Cu in simple terms?
A three amino acid peptide, glycine histidine lysine, bound to a copper ion. The sequence occurs naturally in human plasma and its concentration declines with age, which is why it became a research target.
Why does the copper matter?
The histidine and lysine residues coordinate a copper two plus ion with high affinity. Published work treats the copper complex, not the bare tripeptide, as the species of interest, because several of the reported in vitro effects depend on copper delivery.
What research is GHK-Cu used in?
Dermal fibroblast studies, collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, matrix metalloproteinase and antiprotease balance, angiogenesis markers such as VEGF, and gene expression profiling in cultured skin cells.
How does GHK-Cu differ from AHK-Cu?
A single amino acid at position one, glycine against alanine. AHK-Cu has a much smaller literature, concentrated on hair follicle and dermal papilla models. Our GHK-Cu and AHK-Cu comparison covers the difference.
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.