Compound Guide• 8 min read
GHK-Cu Research Guide: Mechanism, Dosing & Skin/Wound Studies
GHK-Cu is the copper-bound form of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine. It naturally occurs in human plasma and declines with age. Decades of laboratory work show it modulates wound-healing, antioxidant, and tissue-remodeling genes, which is why it has become one of the most-studied research peptides in dermatology and regenerative biology.
What GHK-Cu is
GHK is a short three-amino-acid sequence (glycine-histidine-lysine) that binds copper(II) with high affinity. In its copper-bound form (GHK-Cu) it functions as a signaling molecule rather than a structural protein.
Plasma levels of GHK are roughly 200 ng/mL at age 20 and decline to about 80 ng/mL by age 60. That age-related drop is one of the reasons researchers became interested in GHK-Cu as a regenerative tool.
Mechanism of action
GHK-Cu is best characterized as a gene modulator rather than a single-receptor agonist. A 2010 Broad Institute Connectivity Map analysis reported that GHK significantly modifies the expression of more than 4,000 human genes — roughly one-third of the protein-coding genome — pushing many of them toward a younger expression profile.
Key effects observed in cell and animal models include: copper transport into cells, stimulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, activation of fibroblast proliferation, upregulation of antioxidant genes, and modulation of metalloproteinases involved in extracellular-matrix remodeling.
Skin and wound-healing research
GHK-Cu was first isolated in 1973 from human albumin for its ability to switch aged liver tissue toward a younger phenotype. Since then, in-vitro and in-vivo studies have documented accelerated re-epithelialization, increased angiogenesis at the wound margin, and improved tensile strength of healed tissue.
A 2026 Phase 2 clinical trial (NCT07437586) is currently evaluating a topical GHK-Cu gel for acute skin wound healing, recruiting 60 participants. Earlier work on CO₂ laser-resurfaced skin documented reduced erythema and faster recovery vs. vehicle controls.
Reported research dosing ranges
Dosing in the published literature varies widely depending on delivery route. Topical formulations typically use 0.05 %–2 % GHK-Cu by mass. Subcutaneous research protocols in rodent and ex-vivo human-skin models commonly use 1–3 mg per administration site.
Vial sizes carried by most research-grade suppliers (including Zerilyx) are 50 mg or 100 mg, intended to support multi-week study designs. Reconstitution in bacteriostatic water at 5 mg/mL is the most common laboratory format.
Stability and storage
Lyophilized GHK-Cu is stable for 24+ months at −20 °C. Once reconstituted, store at 2–8 °C and use within 28 days. GHK-Cu is sensitive to oxidation — keep vials shielded from prolonged light exposure.
FAQ
Is GHK-Cu FDA approved?
GHK-Cu is not an FDA-approved drug. It is sold as a research compound for laboratory and in-vitro use only.
What's the difference between GHK and GHK-Cu?
GHK is the tripeptide alone; GHK-Cu is the same tripeptide bound to a copper(II) ion. The copper-bound form is the biologically active species used in nearly all published research.
Why is GHK-Cu often included in 'GLOW' blends?
GHK-Cu drives the dermal-remodeling and antioxidant arm of GLOW blends, while BPC-157 and TB-500 contribute angiogenic and cell-migration signals. Together they're studied as a composite tissue-repair stack.