The wound healing cascade and GHK-Cu: Normal wound healing occurs in four overlapping phases: Hemostasis clotting Inflammation immune cell recruitment Proliferation new tissue formation Remodeling scar maturation GHK-Cu appears to favorably influence phases 2, 3, and 4 simultaneously: In the inflammatory phase , it reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-) while preserving necessary immune signaling In the proliferative phase , it stimulates keratinocyte migration and fibroblast proliferation, accelerating epithelial coverage In the remodeling phase , it promotes type I collagen deposition over type III (scar) collagen, leading to better scar outcomes This multi-phase tissue repair activity makes GHK-Cu a compound of interest when studied alongside other regenerative peptides
doi: 10.1161/CIRCGENETICS.109.852814 33
doi:10.1378/chest.09-0360 Jehan S, Zizi F, Pandi-Perumal SR, et al
Peptides taken orally, however, experience degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, which is why injectable and nasal routes tend to be the dominant ways of therapeuticallyusing peptides