[glycyl-κN-L-histidyl-κN,κN3-L-lysinato(2-)]-Copper, monoacetate (9CI)

GHK-Cu acetate is a complex of the tripeptide Gly-His-Lys and a copper(II) ion that has wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. It increases proliferation and the levels of collagen and secreted pro-matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in isolated human fibroblasts. GHK-Cu increases levels of collagen and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the expression of decorin in the wound tissue of rats. It decreases LPS-induced increases in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells when used at a concentration of 10 μM.3 GHK-Cu (10 μg/g) prevents LPS-induced decreases in lung superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels and reduces LPS-induced increases in the number of cells and the level of total protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in a mouse model of acute lung injury.