GHK-Cu (Copper Tripeptide Injectable)
As we age, regenerative and reparative genes decrease in activity, while inflammatory and tissue-destructive genes increase. GHK, a tripeptide, plays a crucial role in promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration, including in the skin, hair follicles, digestive system, and bones. It also boosts collagen production, stimulates glycosaminoglycan synthesis, enhances angiogenesis, encourages nerve outgrowth, and provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. GHK can also reset gene expression in diseased cells, benefiting conditions like cancer and COPD by reprogramming damaged cells and stimulating tissue repair.
GHK-Cu, a copper complex of GHK, naturally declines with age, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. At age 20, plasma levels of GHK-Cu are around 200 ng/ml, but drop to 80 ng/ml by age 60. GHK was first identified for its ability to promote youthful gene expression and suppress fibrinogen synthesis in liver tissue. Over decades of research, GHK has been shown to support healthy aging, and it's now being explored for applications in cancer therapy, as well as potential anti-anxiety and anti-pain treatments.
Additionally, GHK shows promise in addressing neurodegeneration, a key concern for aging populations. By countering age-related biochemical disruptions, GHK offers hope for improving cognitive function and combating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
GHK's impact on genes related to healthy aging includes:
- Wound healing and tissue regeneration: Supports the repair of skin, hair follicles, bones, stomach, intestinal linings, and liver tissue.
- Collagen and glycosaminoglycan production: Boosts the synthesis of these essential molecules for tissue structure.
- Stimulates decorin synthesis: Decorin plays a role in tissue repair and collagen organization.
- Increases angiogenesis and nerve outgrowth: Promotes the formation of new blood vessels and nerve regeneration.
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: Helps mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, key factors in aging.
- Increases cellular stemness and trophic factor secretion: Enhances the regenerative potential of stem cells.
GHK has also been shown to:
- Suppress fibrinogen synthesis: Fibrinogen is a key predictor of mortality, particularly in cardiovascular disease. GHK reduces its synthesis, promoting healthier blood vessels.
- Activate the Ubiquitin/Proteasome System (UPS): This system removes damaged proteins, helping to slow the aging process.
- Activate DNA repair genes: GHK aids in repairing DNA damage, which accumulates as we age, mitigating its negative effects.
- Support antioxidant genes: GHK boosts the expression of genes that counteract oxidative damage, which is linked to a variety of aging-related diseases, including atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, and Alzheimer's disease.
- Suppress insulin and insulin-like genes: Elevated levels of insulin and insulin-like proteins are associated with reduced lifespan; GHK helps maintain healthy levels.
- Promote tissue repair via the TGF superfamily: GHK aids in tissue repair, as seen in conditions like COPD.
- Activate cancer-controlling genes: GHK influences genes involved in suppressing cancer, including those regulating caspase activity, growth regulation, and DNA repair.
Overall, GHK offers significant potential for supporting healthy aging, improving tissue regeneration, and addressing a variety of age-related diseases.
