Ingredient or product comparison
GHK-Cu Metabolism Research: Clinical Comparison
Pickart et al. (1973) Human plasma analysis Endogenous GHK-Cu measurement Plasma concentration vs age Declines from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL by age 60 Established baseline decline with aging. Foundational observation linking copper peptides to regener
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- Pickart et al. (1973)
- Human plasma analysis
- Endogenous GHK-Cu measurement
- Plasma concentration vs age
- Declines from ~200 ng/mL at age 20 to ~80 ng/mL by age 60
- Established baseline decline with aging. Foundational observation linking copper peptides to regenerative capacity loss
- Arul et al. (2005)
- Rat excisional wound model
- 10 μM topical GHK-Cu daily × 14 days
- Time to wound closure
- 40% faster closure vs saline control (p<0.01)
- Demonstrates dose-dependent tissue repair acceleration. Effect size clinically meaningful for dermal injury
- Pollard et al. (1990)
- Human dermal fibroblasts (in vitro)
- 1–10 μM GHK-Cu
- Collagen synthesis (³H-proline incorporation)
- 300% increase at 10 μM vs untreated (p<0.001)
- Confirms direct fibroblast stimulation. Mechanism tied to lysyl oxidase activation per later copper-chelation studies
- Hong et al. (2015)
- Photoaged human skin (topical)
- 3% GHK-Cu cream twice daily × 12 weeks
- Wrinkle depth and elasticity (cutometer)
- 27% reduction in wrinkle depth, 18% elasticity improvement vs baseline
- Reproducible clinical cosmetic endpoint. Effect size consistent with moderate retinoid formulations without irritation