Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu Peptide in the Light of the New Gene Data
The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) is a small, naturally occurring tri-peptide present in human plasma that also can be released from tissues in case of an injury. Since its discovery in 1973, GHK-Cu established itself as a powerful protective and regenerative ingredient, which is currently widely used in skin and hair products.
Up-to-date, it is established that GHK-Cu is able to:
- Tighten loose skin and reverse thinning of aged skin.
- Repair protective skin barrier proteins.
- Improve skin firmness, elasticity, and clarity.
- Reduce fine lines, depth of wrinkles, and improve structure of aged skin
- Smooth rough skin.
- Reduce photodamage, mottled hyperpigmentation, skin spots and lesions.
- Improve overall skin appearance.
- Stimulate wound healing.
- Protect skin cells from UV radiation.
- Reduce inflammation and free radical damage.
- Increase hair growth and thickness, enlarge hair follicle size.
Most authors would attribute effects of GHK to its ability to bind copper(II) ions. It was proposed that because of the GHK’s small size and its ability to bind copper, it can play a crucial part in copper metabolism. However, since 2010, a new mechanism has started to emerge. The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard (Cambridge, MA, USA) has created the Connectivity Map—a publicly available library of transcriptional responses to known perturbagens, substances that modulate gene expression . This tool allowed researchers to investigate genome-wide effects of GHK and establish that GHK-Cu is able to up- and down-regulate a significant number of human genes. Today, it has become possible to connect biological effects of GHK-Cu and its effects on gene expression, to develop a more comprehensive view on GHK’s mechanism of action.
The present paper reviews protective and regenerative actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in human skin, as well as new gene data, revealing possible mechanisms behind these actions.
