GHK Basic 200mg (Tripeptide-1)

GHK Basic 200mg (Tripeptide-1) | High-Concentration Research Grade

Comprehensive Overview of GHK Basic (Tripeptide-1) 200mg

The GHK Basic 200mg vial contains the highly purified tripeptide Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine, commonly known in the scientific community as Tripeptide-1. This naturally occurring peptide fragment is a cornerstone in regenerative biology and proteomic research. Our 200mg presentation is specifically designed for large-scale laboratory studies, offering the precision and volume necessary for consistent longitudinal data.

In its “Basic” form (non-copper bound), Tripeptide-1 serves as a versatile precursor. Researchers utilize this compound to investigate the inherent signaling capabilities of the GHK sequence before complexation. It is a vital tool for studying cellular migration, the upregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, and the modulation of gene expression in various tissue models.

Technical Specifications and Biochemical Profile

Molecular Composition and Analytical Purity

The efficacy of GHK Basic in a laboratory setting is dependent on its purity and structural integrity. Every 200mg vial undergoes rigorous analytical testing to ensure it meets the highest standards for research applications.

• Amino Acid Sequence: Gly-His-Lys

• Molecular Formula: $C_{14}H_{24}N_{6}O_{4}$

• Molecular Weight: Approximately $340.38 \text{ g/mol}$

• Purity: $\ge 99\%$ verified via HPLC and Mass Spectrometry

• Appearance: Lyophilized white crystalline powder

Solubility and Reconstitution Guidelines

To maintain the stability of the Tripeptide-1 chain, researchers must follow standardized reconstitution protocols. GHK Basic exhibits excellent solubility in aqueous environments.

1. Solvent Compatibility: Readily soluble in sterile water, PBS, or saline buffers.

2. Preparation: Introduce the solvent slowly against the wall of the vial to minimize mechanical stress on the peptide.

3. Stability: Once reconstituted, the solution should be stored at 2°C to 8°C for immediate use (within 7–10 days) or frozen at -20°C to prevent enzymatic degradation.

Research Applications and Laboratory Utility

Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Modulation

Tripeptide-1 is frequently studied for its role as a “matrikine.” Research focuses on how GHK signals fibroblasts to synthesize essential structural proteins. Labs utilize the 200mg concentration to conduct high-density assays monitoring:

• Collagen and Elastin Synthesis: Measuring the rate of protein production in dermal cell cultures.

• Glycosaminoglycan (GAG) Production: Observing the synthesis of molecules like hyaluronic acid.

• DNA Repair Mechanisms: Investigating the peptide’s potential to modulate genes involved in cellular antioxidant defense.

Comparative Studies and Precursor Analysis

The 200mg GHK Basic format allows for extensive comparative analysis against its copper-bound counterpart (GHK-Cu). Researchers use this “Basic” version to establish a baseline for peptide-cell interactions, determining which biological effects are unique to the peptide sequence itself and which are enhanced by metal ion complexation.

What is GHK?

GHK is a tripeptide with the amino acid sequence glycyl-histidyl-lysine. It naturally occurs in human plasma, saliva, and urine. In plasma, the level of GHK is about 200 ng/mL at age 20, but declines to 80 ng/mL by age 60. This decline in the GHK-level coincides with the noticeable decrease in regenerative capacity of an organism. Scientific research has revealed that GHK can assist in wound healing, infection control, hair growth, cancer, cognitive health, and facial cosmetic use.

What is the Difference Between GHK and GHK-Cu?

GHK with and without copper affects a large number of genes related to an organism’s response to stress and injury (tissue remodeling, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pain, anti-anxiety, blood vessel growth, nerve outgrowth, anti-cancer action). GHK sequence is included in the collagen molecule, and SPARC protein and GHK is naturally released after an injury due to protein breakdown.

Copper is a transitional metal that is vital for all eukaryotic organisms, from microbes to humans. Since it can be converted from oxidized Cu(II) to reduced Cu(I) form, it functions as an essential cofactor in a multitude of biochemical reactions involving electron transfer. A dozen enzymes use changes in copper oxidation states to catalyze important biochemical reactions, including cellular respiration, antioxidant defense, detoxification, blood clotting, and the connective tissue formation. Copper is required for iron metabolism, oxygenation, neurotransmission, embryonic development and many other essential biological processes.

GHK Research

1. GHK Suppresses Fibrinogen Synthesis

Fibrinogen consists of three polypeptide chains; alpha, beta, and gamma. GHK strongly suppresses the gene for the beta chain of fibrinogen. A lack of adequate FGB will effectively stop fibrinogen synthesis since equal amounts of all three polypeptide chains are needed to produce fibrinogen.

GHK also suppresses the production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) which is a main positive regulator of fibrinogen synthesis, through its interaction with fibrinogen genes. In cell culture systems, GHK suppresses IL-6 secretion in skin fibroblasts and IL-6 gene expression in SZ95 sebocytes. In summary, the effects of GHK on the FGB gene plus its effects on IL-6 production imply a suppression of overall fibrinogen production.

2. GHK Activates the Ubiquitin/Proteasome System (UPS)

The UPS removes damaged proteins. Higher activities of the UPS appear to delay aging effects. GHK stimulated gene expression in 41 UPS genes while suppressing only 1 UPS gene.

3. GHK Activates DNA Repair Genes

DNA damage is promptly repaired in young and healthy cells, however, as we age, DNA damage starts accumulating. Resetting activity of DNA repair genes can diminish deleterious effects of aging. GHK was primarily stimulatory for DNA repair genes (47 UP, 5 DOWN).

4. GHK Acts as an Antioxidant

Free radicals and toxic end products of lipid peroxidation are linked to atherosclerosis, cancer, cataracts, diabetes, nephropathy, Alzheimer’s disease and other severe pathological conditions of aging. GHK stimulates 14 antioxidant genes and suppresses two pro-oxidant genes.

5. GHK Suppresses Insulin and Insulin-Like Genes

The insulin family has been proposed as a negative controller of longevity; higher levels of insulin and insulin-like proteins reduce lifespan. GHK stimulates 3 genes in this system and suppresses 6 genes.
The insulin/IGF-1- like receptor pathway is a contributor to the biological aging process in many organisms. The gene expression data suggests that GHK suppresses this system, as 6 of 9 of the affected insulin/IGF-1 genes are suppressed. Insulin/IGF-1-like signaling is conserved from worms to humans. In vitro experiments show that mutations that reduce insulin/IGF-1 signaling have been shown to decelerate the degenerative aging process and extend lifespan in many organisms, including mice and possibly humans. Reduced IGF-1 signaling is also thought to contribute to the “antiaging” effects of calorie restriction.

6. GHK Repairs Tissue by TGF Superfamily

The most explored of GHK’s actions is the repair of damaged tissues (skin, hair follicles, stomach and intestinal linings, and boney tissue) either by the use of copper-peptide-containing creams or by induction of systemic healing.

Campbell et al. found that GHK’s resetting of gene expression of fibroblasts from COPD patients fits into this category of tissue repair via the TGF beta superfamily. Campbell et al. also found that GHK directly increases TGF beta and other family members which activate the repair process.

7. Cancer Controlling Genes

Caspase, growth regulatory, and DNA repair genes are important in cancer suppression. In 2010, Hong et al. identified 54 genes associated with aggressive, metastatic, human colon cancer. The Broad Institute’s Connectivity Map was used to find compounds that reverse the differential expressions of these genes. The results indicated that two wound healing and skin remodeling molecules, GHK at 1 micromolar and securinine at 18 micromolar, could significantly reverse the differential expression of these genes and suggested that they may have a therapeutic effect on the metastasis-prone patients.

Conclusion

The tripeptide GHK possesses many positive effects but declines with age. It improves wound healing and tissue regeneration (skin, hair follicles, stomach and intestinal linings, and boney tissue), increases collagen and glycosaminoglycans, stimulates synthesis of decorin, increases angiogenesis, and nerve outgrowth, possesses esses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and increases cellular stemness and the secretion of trophic factors by mesenchymal stem cells. Recently, GHK has even been found to reset genes of diseased cells from patients with cancer or COPD to a healthier state.

GHK exhibits minimal side effects, low oral and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not scale to humans. GHK for sale at Peptide Sciences is limited to educational and scientific research only, not for human consumption. Only buy GHK if you are a licensed researcher.