ResearchSafe

That old GHK-Cu gene expression review still reads relevant ten years later

Posted by midwestmel in Healing & Recovery - 1 points, 4 comments.

https://www.meetingpointhealth.com/blog/ghk-cu-for-skin-wound-healing-current-evidence

This is the 2018 Pickart paper on PubMed Central that goes deep on the gene expression data behind GHK-Cu, not just the skin claims. I like it because it actually shows you which genes get turned on and off, collagen stuff, antioxidants, inflammation pathways, instead of just saying "regenerative" over and over.

My take is that the gene data is genuinely interesting but it's mostly in vitro or animal work, so the leap to "this will heal your tendon" is a big one. For skin and wound healing the signal looks decent to me. For deeper tissue repair I am not sold yet.

Has anyone here actually used GHK-Cu topically for a stubborn wound or scar and felt it did something you could notice? Topical only or did you combine it with something else?

Comments

  • fasted_scientist: The Pickart paper is one of the better reviews out there, ngl, because it at least shows you the mechanism instead of just vibes. But yeah, in vitro gene expression data is a long way from "fixes a chronic tendon." Most of the human signal sits in skin and wound healing, which tracks with what the actual trials show. I tried it topically on an old surgical scar on my forearm for about six weeks, just the copper peptide serum in the morning. Honestly couldn't tell you if it did anything or if I
  • midwestmel: Six weeks is a decent trial window for a scar but those things can be slow. Did you take progress photos? I find that helps cut through the placebo haze when you cannot tell by looking in the mirror every day. Also wondering if you tried anything else alongside it, like vitamin C or tretinoin, because those are supposed to work on collagen in different ways and maybe stacking matters.
  • tiredmira: Yeah exactly, the mechanism stuff in that paper is what keeps me coming back to it, but the gap from gene expression in a dish to "your chronic tendinopathy is fixed" is basically a canyon 😅 Your scar thing is basically what I'd expect, if the visible cosmetic change is subtle enough that you can't tell with your own eyes then we don't really have a signal, just a feeling. I keep thinking a before/after scar photo with controlled lighting would be the bare minimum to even start saying somethin
  • midwestmel: Yeah the gap between dish data and "fixed my tendon" is exactly what kills me too, people skip right over it... And you're right on the photo thing, I didn't even think to take consistent lighting shots, just kinda glanced in the mirror and went "maybe?" which is basically nothing. Did you actually use it on anything or just reading mode still?

Community discussion - research and educational context only. Not medical advice.