GHK-Cu Rx

REFERENCES / 07

The cited GHK-Cu literature, source by source

Every quantitative claim on this site resolves to one of these studies. Author, journal, year, and a DOI or PubMed link for each.

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How to read this list

These are the GHK-Cu references cited throughout the site, numbered to match the inline markers. The list spans the founding collagen and matrix work, the genome-wide gene-expression analysis, the human skin and hair trials, the penetration and stability studies, and the biomaterial and analog research. Two entries are deliberately flagged in context: the Lee 2016 hair trial tests a 5-ALA + GHK combination rather than pure GHK-Cu [4], and the Pyo 2007 study tests the AHK-Cu analog rather than GHK-Cu itself [15] — both are cited only with that distinction stated. Where a study reports a number this site quotes, that number is taken directly from the source.

  1. Maquart FX, Pickart L, Laurent M, Gillery P, Monboisse JC, Borel JP. Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+. FEBS Lett. 1988;238(2):343-346. ↗
  2. 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;19(7):1987. ↗
  3. 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. ↗
  4. Lee WJ, Sim HB, Jang YH, Lee SJ, Kim DW, Yim SH. Efficacy of a Complex of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Glycyl-Histidyl-Lysine Peptide on Hair Growth. Ann Dermatol. 2016;28(4):438-443. ↗
  5. Hostynek JJ, Dreher F, Maibach HI. Human skin penetration of a copper tripeptide in vitro as a function of skin layer. Inflamm Res. 2011;60(1):79-86. ↗
  6. Pickart L. The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19(8):969-988. ↗
  7. Simeon A, Emonard H, Hornebeck W, Maquart FX. The tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ stimulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression by fibroblast cultures. Life Sci. 2000;67(18):2257-2265. ↗
  8. Mortazavi SM, Mohammadi Vadoud SA, Moghimi HR. Topically applied GHK as an anti-wrinkle peptide: Advantages, problems and prospective. BioImpacts. 2025;15:30071. ↗
  9. Lee S, Lee SM, Lee SH, Choi WK, Park SJ, Kim DY, et al. In situ photo-crosslinkable hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel embedded with GHK peptide nanofibers for bioactive wound healing. Acta Biomater. 2023;172:159-174. ↗
  10. Jiang F, Wu Y, Liu Z, Hong M, Huang Y. Synergy of GHK-Cu and hyaluronic acid on collagen IV upregulation via fibroblast and ex-vivo skin tests. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(9):2598-2604. ↗
  11. Jose S, Hughbanks ML, Binder BYK, Ingavle GC, Leach JK. Enhanced trophic factor secretion by mesenchymal stem/stromal cells with Glycine-Histidine-Lysine (GHK)-modified alginate hydrogels. Acta Biomater. 2014;10(5):1955-1964. ↗
  12. Molavi AM, Sadeghi-Avalshahr A, Nokhasteh S, Naderi-Meshkin H. Enhanced biological properties of collagen/chitosan-coated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) scaffold by surface modification with GHK-Cu peptide and 58S bioglass. Prog Biomater. 2020;9(1-2):71-82. ↗
  13. Trachy RE, Fors TD, Pickart L, Uno H. The hair follicle-stimulating properties of peptide copper complexes. Results in C3H mice. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1991;642:468-469. ↗
  14. Arul V, Kartha R, Jayakumar R. Biotinylated GHK peptide incorporated collagenous matrix: A novel biomaterial for dermal wound healing in rats. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2005;73(2):383-391. ↗
  15. Pyo HK, Yoo HG, Won CH, Lee SH, Kang YJ, Eun HC, Cho KH, Kim KH. The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro [AHK-Cu analog]. Arch Pharm Res. 2007;30(7):834-839. ↗