--- title: "The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling." description: "The human peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu play a broad role in tissue repair and regeneration, with benefits for skin, hair, and various…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html" type: "study" study_key: "s186" journal: "J Biomater Sci Polym Ed" year: 2008 pmid: "18644225" doi: "10.1163/156856208784909435" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s186 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | J Biomater Sci Polym Ed | | Year | 2008 | | PMID | [18644225](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18644225/) | | DOI | [10.1163/156856208784909435](https://doi.org/10.1163/156856208784909435) | | Study key | s186 | ## Takeaway The human peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu play a broad role in tissue repair and regeneration, with benefits for skin, hair, and various internal tissues. ## The question What role does the human tri-peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu play in tissue remodeling? ## Hypothesis The human tri-peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu activate various processes involved in tissue remodeling, including cell chemoattraction, anti-inflammatory actions, protein synthesis, and cell proliferation. ## Methods This abstract reviews existing literature on the human peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu, summarizing their known biological activities related to tissue remodeling. ## Results GHK and GHK-Cu activate several remodeling-related processes: chemoattraction of repair cells, anti-inflammatory actions (e.g., suppressing free radicals, increasing superoxide dismutase), increased protein synthesis (e.g., collagen, elastin), and increased proliferation of fibroblasts and keratinocytes, nerve outgrowth, angiogenesis, and hair follicle size. GHK-Cu has been shown to stimulate wound healing in various models and in humans. Controlled studies on aged skin demonstrated that GHK-Cu tightens skin, improves elasticity and firmness, reduces fine lines, wrinkles, photodamage, and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, GHK-Cu improves hair transplant success, protects hepatic tissue, blocks stomach ulcer development, and heals intestinal ulcers and bone tissue. ## Conclusion The human tri-peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu are involved in a wide array of biochemical processes that regulate tissue remodeling, demonstrating beneficial effects in wound healing, skin rejuvenation, and protection/healing of various tissues. ## Limitations The abstract does not present new experimental data but rather summarizes existing findings, without providing specific details on study designs, sample sizes, or quantitative outcomes for many of the mentioned effects. ## Verbatim from the abstract > it tightens skin, improves elasticity and reduces fine lines and photodamage ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) Serum | Preliminary | [Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/186.md) | ## Reference 1. **The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.** J Biomater Sci Polym Ed 2008 · [PMID 18644225](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18644225/) · [DOI 10.1163/156856208784909435](https://doi.org/10.1163/156856208784909435) > it tightens skin, improves elasticity and reduces fine lines and photodamage ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html","name":"The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.","description":"The human peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu play a broad role in tissue repair and regeneration, with benefits for skin, hair, and various…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s186.html#study","name":"The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.","headline":"The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling.","datePublished":"2008","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"J Biomater Sci Polym Ed"},"identifier":"PMID:18644225","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18644225/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1163/156856208784909435","abstract":"The human peptide GHK and its copper complex GHK-Cu play a broad role in tissue repair and regeneration, with benefits for skin, hair, and various internal tissues."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Copper Tripeptide (GHK-Cu) Serum](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/186.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d8227353.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).