Does the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu stimulate connective tissue accumulation in rat wounds in vivo?
J Clin Invest · 1993 · PMID 8227353 · DOI 10.1172/JCI116842
GHK-Cu stimulates the accumulation of connective tissue components like collagen and glycosaminoglycans in rat wounds.
The question
Does the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu stimulate connective tissue accumulation in rat wounds in vivo?
What they tested
GHK-Cu, previously identified as a growth factor and potential activator of wound repair in vitro, will increase extracellular matrix accumulation in vivo.
How they did it
Stainless steel wire mesh cylinders were subcutaneously implanted into the backs of rats. Rats were divided into groups receiving sequential injections of either saline (control) or various concentrations of GHK-Cu into the wound chambers. After the experiment, wound chambers were collected and analyzed for dry weight, total proteins, collagen, DNA, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and specific mRNAs for collagens and TGF beta. A control tripeptide, L-glutamyl-L-histidyl-L-proline, was also tested.
What they found
GHK-Cu injections resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in dry weight, DNA, total protein, collagen, and glycosaminoglycan content within the wound chambers. Collagen synthesis was twice that of noncollagen proteins. Increases were observed in type I and type III collagen mRNAs, but not in TGF beta mRNAs. An increase in the relative amount of dermatan sulfate was also found. The control tripeptide had no significant effect.
| Noncollagen Proteins | 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Collagen | 2 |
The stimulation of collagen synthesis was twice that of noncollagen proteins in GHK-Cu-injected wound chambers.
What it means
GHK-Cu effectively increases extracellular matrix accumulation in wounds in vivo.
Limitations
The study was conducted in rats using a specific wound chamber model, which may not directly translate to human wound healing processes.
The paper at a glance
| Title | In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu in rat wounds |
|---|---|
| Journal | J Clin Invest |
| Year | 1993 |
| PMID | 8227353 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1172/JCI116842 ↗ |
| Topic | Skin, hair & photoaging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
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Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) Serum
Reviews and laboratory studies indicate GHK-Cu can stimulate collagen and elastin production, support wound healing, and reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Copper tripeptide-1, commonly known as GHK-Cu, is a naturally occurring complex of the human tripeptide…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Does the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu stimulate connective tissue accumulation in rat wounds in vivo? [Plain-English summary of J Clin Invest 1993, PMID 8227353, DOI 10.1172/JCI116842]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d8227353.html@misc{magellan_d8227353,
title = {Does the tripeptide-copper complex GHK-Cu stimulate connective tissue accumulation in rat wounds in vivo?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d8227353.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 8227353; DOI 10.1172/JCI116842; J Clin Invest 1993. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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