glycine-histidine-lysine

Glycine-histidine-lysine (GHK) is a naturally occurring human tripeptide found in plasma, urine, and saliva. It is known for its high affinity for copper(II) ions, often forming the GHK-Cu complex. GHK exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including wound healing, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory effects, and neuroprotection. In the context of respiratory health, research has demonstrated its ability to reverse gene expression signatures associated with emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), promoting cellular adhesion and remodeling in lung tissue. It also shows potential in treating intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and neurodegenerative diseases by modulating pathways such as miR-339-5p/VEGFA and Akt/miR-146a-3p/AQP4 to alleviate neuronal apoptosis and astrocyte injury. While widely used in cosmetics and as a research tool, it is currently being investigated for therapeutic applications in chronic lung disease and neurology.

Other names

GHKGly-His-LysGlycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysineTripeptide-1Tripeptide1Tripeptide 1