Description
GHK Basic Peptide
GHK Basic is a tripeptide containing the amino acid sequence glycyl-histidyl-lysine. These short-chain amino acids are considered to help cell communication for specific actions, much like insulin, which allows blood sugar to be absorbed by muscles and other tissues. Researchers consider GHK Basic to be organ specific.
Research in the GHK protein has yielded a variety of potential biological activities, including possible stimulation of blood vessels and nerve outgrowth, increasing elastin, glycosaminoglycan, collagen synthesis, and possibly promoting dermal fibroblast functions. The tissue repair potential of this peptide has been researched in lung connective tissue, bone tissue, liver, stomach lining, and skin.(1)
The peptide also been suggested to host potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, possibly playing some role in DNA repair, lung protection, reactivation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) fibroblasts, cell cleansing stimulation via the proteasome system, and also possibly in the suppression of aging molecules like NFκB. GHK Basic has also been suggested to have the potential to repair protective proteins in the skin barrier, tightening and reversing loose skin and thinning of aged skin simultaneously.
Chemical Makeup(2)
Molecular Mass: 340.378 g/mol
Molecular Formula: C14H24N6O4
Research and Clinical Studies
GHK Basic and Skin Regeneration
According to research, adding plasma to aged liver tissue may cause the aged tissues to produce proteins identical to those seen in plasma.(2,3,4) Several studies have suggested that GHK proteins may increase collagen production, glycosaminoglycans, and small proteoglycan decorin. Furthermore, research indicates that GHK might also influence the activities of metalloproteinases – enzymes that initiate extracellular matrix protein breakdown – and antiprotease actions. This GHK action may possibly regulate protein breakdown in the skin, preventing the accumulation of damaged proteins and excessive proteolysis.
GHK Basic and Wound Healing
Animal model studies suggest that the peptide may promote wound healing through two mechanisms.(5,6) First, GHK, when combined with a high-dose helium-neon laser, was reported to accelerate wound contraction and granular tissue production while hosting antioxidant enzyme activities and increasing blood vessel growth. Second, wound healing in healthy and diabetic mice was reported to be improved by collagen dressing packed into GHK. Increased glutathione and ascorbic acid levels were found, as well as enhanced epithelialization and increased collagen synthesis, fibroblasts, and mast cell activation in wounds.
GHK and its analogs may also have potential in follicular stimulation and growth. The naturally occurring copper complex GHK-Cu was reported by researchers to increase vascular endothelial growth factor production, which may lead to growth and blood vessel formation by increasing the vascularity of blood supply to the hair follicle.
GHK Basic and Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant Activities
GHK has been suggested to exhibit precursors to antioxidant abilities, specifically in its posited interaction with liquid peroxidation, which produces adverse free radicals capable of DNA, protein, and cell damage by binding its byproducts.(7,8) Researchers also suggest GHK may promote the structural remodeling of the connective tissues and possibly influence various gene expressions and accelerates the genes of the TGF-β pathway, combating the prevalence of lung COPD and acute lung injury.(9)
GHK Basic and Fibrinogen
High fibrinogen levels are considered to increase blood viscosity by increasing rouleaux formation, which research suggests are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.(9) Studies in the peptide generally suggest that it has potential to inhibit fibrinogen synthesis, thereby possibly lowering the risk of coronary occurrences regardless of LDL cholesterol levels.
GHK Basic and the Ubiquitin Proteasome System
The Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) is considered to regulate and eliminate damaged proteins, and a dysfunctional Ubiquitin system may cause accelerated symptoms of aging. One study observed that once the peptide was given to a set of test subjects, it appeared to increase gene expression in 41 UPS genes while suppressing 1 UPS gene, yielding a positive result.(8)
GHK Basic peptide is available for research and laboratory purposes only. Please review and adhere to our Terms and Conditions before ordering.
References
- Pickart L, Margolina A. Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jul 7;19(7):1987
- https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cu-GHK
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:648108. DOI: 10.1155/2015/648108.
- Dou Y, Lee A, Zhu L, Morton J, Ladiges W. The potential of GHK as an anti-aging peptide. Aging Pathobiol Ther. 2020 Mar 27;2(1):58-61. DOI: 10.31491/apt.2020.03.014.
- Abdulghani, AA, Sherr S, Shirin S, Solodkin G, Tapia EM, Gottlieb AB. Effects of topical creams containing vitamin C, a copper-binding peptide cream and melatonin compared with tretinoin on the ultrastructure of normal skin – A pilot clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural study. Disease Manag Clin Outcomes. 1998;1:136-141
- Leyden J, Stephens T, Finkey MB, Appa, Y, Barkovic S, Skin Care Benefits of Copper Peptide Containing Facial Cream. Amer Academy Dermat Meeting, February 2002, Abstract P68, P69
- Beretta G, Artali R, Regazzoni L, Panigati M, Facino RM. Glycyl-histidyl-lysine (GHK) is a quencher of alpha,beta-4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal: a comparison with carnosine. Insights into the mechanism of reaction by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, and computational techniques. Chem Res Toxicol. 2007 Sep;20(9):1309-14
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. The human tripeptide GHK-Cu in prevention of oxidative stress and degenerative conditions of aging: implications for cognitive health. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2012;2012:324832.
- Pickart L, Vasquez-Soltero JM, Margolina A. GHK and DNA: resetting the human genome to health. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:151479. DOI: 10.1155/2014/151479.
NOTE: These products are intended for laboratory research use only. GHK Basic for sale (50mg) is not intended for personal use. Please review and adhere to our Terms and Conditions before ordering.
Dr. Marinov (MD, Ph.D.) is a researcher and chief assistant professor in Preventative Medicine & Public Health. Prior to his professorship, Dr. Marinov practiced preventative, evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on Nutrition and Dietetics. He is widely published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and specializes in peptide therapy research.
