In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu2+ in rat experimental wounds.
Maquart FX, Bellon G, Chaqour B et al. · The Journal of clinical investigation · PMID 8227353
Study summary
Main finding
GHK-Cu-treated wound chambers accumulated more collagen, protein, and glycosaminoglycans. Type I and III collagen messenger RNA increased, while TGF-beta messenger RNA did not.
Rats had subcutaneous wound chambers implanted, with GHK-Cu compared against saline and a control peptide.
What the researchers measured
Chamber tissue weight, protein, collagen, DNA, elastin, glycosaminoglycans, and collagen-related gene expression were measured.
How to read this evidence
Researchers studied cells, isolated tissue, or animals. These experiments can help explain a mechanism, but do not establish benefits or safety in people. Human cells grown in a laboratory also belong in this category.
Results in context
More extracellular matrix accumulated in these chambers. That tissue-production result does not directly measure closure of an ordinary wound or skin improvement in people.
What this does not establish
An implanted rat wound chamber measures tissue accumulation rather than clinical healing in people. It does not establish cosmetic outcomes or route-specific human safety.
Publication & source
Why this paper is included
A rat wound-chamber experiment administered GHK-Cu and measured connective-tissue accumulation.
Publication indexing
Journal Article · Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't