{"product_id":"ghk-cu","title":"GHK-Cu","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eGHK-Cu — Copper Tripeptide for Skin and ECM\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGHK-Cu is a naturally occurring copper complex of the tripeptide glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine and one of the most extensively studied small peptides in dermatology, wound repair, and gene-expression research. Researchers looking to buy peptides with documented activity across extracellular matrix remodeling, collagen synthesis, and broad gene-modulation pathways frequently source GHK-Cu as a primary tool compound for skin biology and tissue repair work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complex forms when the GHK tripeptide binds copper(II) with high affinity, producing a small (~404 Da) but biologically rich molecule. Published preclinical literature has documented effects on fibroblast collagen and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, angiogenesis, hair follicle research models, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant pathways, and the expression of thousands of human genes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eForm:\u003c\/b\u003e Lyophilized peptide complex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNet per vial:\u003c\/b\u003e 50 mg (filled to approximately 104% of label)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePurity:\u003c\/b\u003e ≥99% (HPLC-verified)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eIdentity:\u003c\/b\u003e MS-verified (per COA)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eStorage:\u003c\/b\u003e 2–8 °C, protect from light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFormula \/ M.W.:\u003c\/b\u003e C₁₄H₂₃CuN₆O₄ \/ ~401.91 Da\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCAS:\u003c\/b\u003e 49557-75-7\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat Makes GHK-Cu a Unique Compound\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGHK-Cu was isolated in 1973 by Dr. Loren Pickart from human plasma, after he observed that serum from older donors aged liver tissue cultures more rapidly than serum from younger donors. The factor responsible turned out to be a small copper-binding tripeptide whose endogenous concentration declines with age — from roughly 200 ng\/mL at age 20 to 80 ng\/mL at age 60. The 50-year research arc that followed makes GHK-Cu one of the most thoroughly characterized small peptides in the literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat distinguishes GHK-Cu among research peptides is its breadth of biological activity relative to its size. Genomic profiling published by Pickart and colleagues identified expression changes across roughly 4,000 human genes, spanning extracellular matrix biology, antioxidant defense, DNA repair, and tumor suppressor pathways. The compound is endogenously released at sites of tissue injury through breakdown of SPARC and type I collagen — meaning its biology connects directly to repair signaling rather than acting as an exogenous-only tool compound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSkin \u0026amp; ECM Remodeling —\u003c\/b\u003e Published cell and animal studies have measured GHK-Cu-driven increases in collagen, decorin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis in dermal fibroblasts, supporting its use as a reference tool in skin biology and ECM research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWound Repair \u0026amp; Angiogenesis —\u003c\/b\u003e Rodent wound models have reported accelerated re-epithelialization and increased capillary density in GHK-Cu-treated cohorts, with mechanistic work pointing to fibroblast recruitment, immune cell signaling, and pro-angiogenic gene expression.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHair Follicle Research —\u003c\/b\u003e Animal and ex vivo follicle studies have documented enlargement of hair follicles and extended anagen-phase signaling in GHK-Cu-exposed tissue, generating sustained interest in the peptide for hair biology research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBroad Gene Expression Modulation —\u003c\/b\u003e Genomic studies have characterized GHK-Cu's effect on the expression of thousands of human genes, including upregulation of DNA repair and tumor suppressor pathways and downregulation of inflammatory mediators — making it a unique tool for transcriptomic research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAntioxidant \u0026amp; Anti-Inflammatory Signaling —\u003c\/b\u003e GHK-Cu modulates copper-dependent enzymatic activity and reduces lipid peroxidation in cell models, with published work linking effects to redox-balance and cytokine-pathway research.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eRelated Peptides\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearchers working with GHK-Cu often investigate it alongside:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/emeraldpeptides.ca\/products\/buy-bpc-157\" title=\"View BPC-157 Product Page\"\u003eBPC-157\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e — Pentadecapeptide studied for cytoprotection and tissue repair via nitric oxide and VEGFR2-driven angiogenesis; the most common research pairing with GHK-Cu in soft-tissue and dermal repair designs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href=\"file:\/\/\/products\/tb500-peptides\" title=\"View TB-500 Product Page\"\u003eTB-500\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e — Synthetic thymosin β-4 studied for cellular migration and angiogenesis; complements GHK-Cu's ECM-remodeling profile with a cytoskeletal-mechanism research angle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/emeraldpeptides.ca\/products\/glow-peptide-canada\" title=\"View Glow Stack Product Page\"\u003eGlow Stack\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e — Combined BPC-157 + TB-500 + GHK-Cu research blend for groups studying skin biology and connective tissue repair across multiple parallel mechanisms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cb\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat should purchasers consider before they buy peptides like GHK-Cu?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree things matter most: verified purity, identity confirmation, and supply-chain integrity. Our GHK-Cu ships with a batch-specific certificate of analysis confirming ≥99% HPLC purity and mass-spec-verified identity, vials are filled to approximately 104% of label as a quality margin, and orders dispatch from within Canada to avoid border-related cold-chain interruptions. For copper-peptide complexes specifically, batch-level documentation of stoichiometry and copper content is worth confirming before purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat is the difference between GHK and GHK-Cu?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGHK is the bare tripeptide (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), while GHK-Cu is the same tripeptide bound to a copper(II) ion. The tripeptide has high affinity for copper, and most of GHK's documented biological activity in the published literature is mediated by the copper complex — particularly its effects on antioxidant enzyme activity, ECM remodeling, and gene expression. GHK without copper has different and generally weaker activity in most research models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eIs GHK-Cu naturally occurring?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. GHK-Cu is endogenously present in human plasma, saliva, and urine, with the tripeptide sequence sitting within larger ECM proteins like SPARC and type I collagen. It is released into circulation when those parent proteins break down at sites of tissue injury. The synthetic peptide sold for research is sequence-identical to the endogenous form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhat is the evidence base for GHK-Cu?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe published literature spans more than 50 years and includes biochemical, cell-based, animal, and human studies across wound healing, skin biology, hair follicle research, gene expression profiling, and oncology models. Loren Pickart and colleagues published over 100 papers on GHK biology, including the genomic work that characterized its effect on roughly 4,000 human genes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⚠️ \u003cem\u003eFor research use only. Not intended for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or supplement.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Emerald Peptides","offers":[{"title":"50mg","offer_id":46052984455305,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"6 x 50mg","offer_id":46134145384585,"sku":null,"price":269.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 x 50mg(one box)","offer_id":46052984488073,"sku":null,"price":369.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0760\/3424\/4745\/files\/ghk-cu-50mg-peptide-canada_264aafe9-a507-4b1b-9f40-fbc182a4f91d.png?v=1778370368","url":"https:\/\/emeraldpeptides.ca\/products\/ghk-cu","provider":"Emerald Peptides","version":"1.0","type":"link"}