Study summary · research use only
Copper Complexes with New Glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine-Hyaluronan Conjugates Show Antioxidant Properties and Osteogenic and Angiogenic Synergistic Effects
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
In this in vitro study (species not specified), the authors synthesized conjugates of hyaluronic acid (HA) with the tripeptide glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine (GHK), called GHK-HA, at different loadings of the tripeptide, and combined them with copper(II) to form complexes. The abstract reports that GHK-HA binds copper(II) ions and that the complexes altered several biological and chemical properties of the two components. Results showed copper was associated with the expression and release of trophic, angiogenic, and osteogenic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). Effects were linked to translocation of the intracellular chaperones Copper Chaperone for Superoxide Dismutase (CCS) and Antioxidant-1 (Atox1) to the nucleus, where they act as transcription factors.
Abstract
In recent years, hyaluronic acid (HA) and the natural tripeptide glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine (GHK), especially its copper(II) complex (GHK-Cu), individually have been shown to exert helpful properties for bone protection and regeneration. However, they are not strong enough to handle oxidative stress, hydrolytic attack, or environmental conditions. Being aware that conjugation chemistry has recently emerged as an appealing approach for generating new molecular entities capable of preserving the molecular integrity of their moieties or delaying their degradation, herein we present the synthesis of conjugates of HA with GHK (GHK-HA), at different loadings of the tripeptide. GHK-HA binds copper(II) ions and potentiates the chemical and biological properties of the two components in in vitro assays. The results highlight copper's role in promoting the expression and release of certain trophic, angiogenic, and osteogenic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). The protective and regenerative activities of the metal ion are related to the translocation of its intracellular chaperones Copper Chaperone for Superoxide Dismutase (CCS) and Antioxidant-1 (Atox1) to the nucleus where they act as transcription factors.
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