GHK-Cu 50mg
Naturally occurring copper-binding tripeptide investigated for extracellular matrix remodeling, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair.
Mechanism
Copper-binding tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) studied for collagen synthesis, skin remodeling and tissue repair.
Dosing
1.5–2 mg once daily, typically cycled 5 days on / 2 days off.
Reconstitution
Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water to achieve an approximate concentration of 16.67 mg/mL.
Storage
Lyophilized: −20 °C; reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C.
Mix & measure GHK-Cu 50mg
Pre-filled with this protocol's recommended BAC water and documented starting dose — edit any field to run your own numbers.
Mix & measure GHK-Cu 50mg
Vial strength → BAC water → target dose
Common vial sizes
Label claim
Total doses in vial: 25.0
U-100 syringe: 100 units = 1 mL
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Reconstitution math only — not dosing advice. U-100 syringe: 100 units = 1 mL. Advanced calculator →
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Dosing Chart
| Phase / Day(s) | Dose & Frequency | Volume (U-100 units / mL) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1–2 (Acclimation) | 1.5 mg once daily (5 days on / 2 off) | 9 units (0.09 mL) |
| Week 3+ (Standard Research) | 2.0 mg once daily (5 days on / 2 off) | 12 units (0.12 mL) |
Reconstitution Steps
- 1
Remove the 50 mg GHK-Cu vial from −20 °C storage and allow it to equilibrate to room temperature for 15–20 minutes.
- 2
Clean the rubber stoppers of both the peptide vial and the bacteriostatic water vial using sterile alcohol swabs.
- 3
Using a sterile syringe, draw exactly 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water.
- 4
Insert the needle into the GHK-Cu vial at a 45-degree angle, aiming the stream slowly down the inner glass wall to prevent shearing.
- 5
Gently swirl and roll the vial between your palms until the powder is fully dissolved into a clear, uniform blue solution; do not shake vigorously.
- 6
Label the vial with the reconstitution date and calculated concentration (~16.67 mg/mL), and immediately store in a refrigerator at 2–8 °C.
Supplies Needed
Peptide Vial
Provides 50 mg of lyophilized GHK-Cu powder, supplying approximately 25 to 33 daily research aliquots at the documented doses.
Insulin Syringes (U-100)
Used for precise measurement and subcutaneous administration of 9 to 12 units (0.09–0.12 mL) per scheduled research day; 20–25 syringes needed per cycle.
Bacteriostatic Water
Serves as the sterile, preserved reconstitution diluent; requires 3.0 mL to dissolve the 50 mg vial.
Alcohol Swabs
Used to disinfect vial septa and injection research sites prior to every draw and administration; requires approximately 40–50 single-use swabs.
Why researchers study it
Collagen synthesis & dermal remodeling
Tissue repair and wound healing kinetics
Hair follicle cycling and microenvironment research
Cellular anti-aging and gene expression modulation
These describe what is being studied, not proven benefits, approved uses, or promised results.
Overview
GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex) is a naturally occurring tripeptide originally isolated from human plasma that exhibits high binding affinity for copper(II) ions. Endogenous circulating levels decline significantly with advancing age, prompting extensive exploration into its potential regulatory role in cellular regeneration. Laboratory investigations show that GHK-Cu modulates the expression of thousands of genes associated with wound healing, tissue remodeling, antioxidant defense, and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. At the cellular level, GHK-Cu acts directly on fibroblasts and keratinocytes to stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and key structural proteoglycans within the extracellular matrix. It orchestrates matrix metalloproteinase activity to balance tissue breakdown and neo-synthesis, avoiding fibrotic scarring while promoting structural integrity. In hair follicle models, it has been shown to support follicular enlargement and modulate signaling cascades, including the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway. Preclinical research encompasses topical, local, and systemic administration paradigms targeting cutaneous repair, tissue fibrosis, chronic wound models, and hair follicle dynamics. While widely documented in in vitro assays and animal models for its pro-regenerative properties, systemic and subcutaneous administrations remain active areas of investigational research rather than standard approved clinical therapies.
References
- 1.Pickart L et al., Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2012 — GHK peptide as a natural modulator of multiple cellular pathways in skin regeneration
- 2.Pickart L et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2018 — Regenerative and protective actions of the GHK-Cu peptide in light of new gene data
- 3.Maquart FX et al., FEBS Letters, 1988 — Stimulation of collagen synthesis in fibroblast cultures by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+
- 4.Pyo HK et al., Archives of Pharmacal Research, 2007 — The effect of tripeptide-copper complex on human hair growth in vitro
Supplies Needed
Suggested supplier
Research use only. Listing a supplier is not an endorsement of any protocol on this site, and nothing sold there is approved for human use.
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