Study summary · research use only
GHK Peptide as a Natural Modulator of Multiple Cellular Pathways in Skin Regeneration
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This review revisits GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) in skin regeneration. The abstract states GHK is present in human plasma, saliva and urine but declines with age, and is proposed to function as a complex with copper 2+ that is associated with wound healing and skin repair. It reports GHK stimulates synthesis and breakdown of collagen and glycosaminoglycans, modulates metalloproteinases and their inhibitors, attracts immune and endothelial cells, and accelerates wound healing in skin, hair follicles, gastrointestinal tract, bone and foot pads across rats, mice, pigs and dogs. It notes cosmetic observations of improved skin appearance and that GHK can up- and downregulate at least 4,000 human genes.
Abstract
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is present in human plasma, saliva, and urine but declines with age. It is proposed that GHK functions as a complex with copper 2+ which accelerates wound healing and skin repair. GHK stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen and glycosaminoglycans and modulates the activity of both metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. It stimulates collagen, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and the small proteoglycan, decorin. It also restores replicative vitality to fibroblasts after radiation therapy. The molecule attracts immune and endothelial cells to the site of an injury. It accelerates wound-healing of the skin, hair follicles, gastrointestinal tract, boney tissue, and foot pads of dogs. It also induces systemic wound healing in rats, mice, and pigs. In cosmetic products, it has been found to tighten loose skin and improve elasticity, skin density, and firmness, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce photodamage, and hyperpigmentation, and increase keratinocyte proliferation. GHK has been proposed as a therapeutic agent for skin inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and metastatic colon cancer. It is capable of up- and downregulating at least 4,000 human genes, essentially resetting DNA to a healthier state. The present review revisits GHK's role in skin regeneration in the light of recent discoveries.
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