Copper is an element essential to a number of physiologic processes in the human body, yet has not enjoyed the same degree of consumer understanding as iron and zinc. The presence of copper in living tissues has been known for more than 200 years. Early medicinal applications of copper typically involved treatment of painful joints and muscles using copper bracelets, or copper-containing ointments. Scientific studies have clearly defined a role for copper in the regulation of growth, development, and function of the human body.

Less than 1 mg of copper is available in the typical daily American diet. Through a complicated series of exchanges, copper finds its way into the blood system, bound primarily to ceruloplasmin. Copper is utilized by essentially every cell; resulting in the intracellular formation of copper-dependent enzymes - including cytochrome c oxidase (energy production) and superoxide dismutase (antioxidation). Copper is also essential for other enzymes including lysyl oxidase (crosslinking of elastin and collagen) and dopamine beta hydroxylase (catecholamine formation). In the 1970's, scientists isolated a sequence of amino acids (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine; GHK) in human serum that bound copper, and used that initial piece of information to build a peptide copper-based technology with implications in anti-aging and tissue repair processes.

Not all copper is the same! Recent studies have shown that copper salts and GHK peptide added separately did not stimulate collagen synthesis. (12) ProCyte’s patented complexation of the GHK peptide to copper has been a dynamic breakthrough in copper therapeutics.

Through careful formulation and clinical guidance, ProCyte has been able to develop a number of innovative GHK Copper Peptide products to treat a wide range of conditions. ProCyte conducted and published a number of wound healing clinical studies showing the benefits of GHK-Cu (Iamin®, Prezatide Copper Acetate). (3,4) The activities of the compound were supported by research studies showing positive effects on collagen deposition (5), tensile strength (6), angiogenesis (7), and SOD activity. (8) Published studies on hair growth using a different copper peptide compound demonstrated the positive influence of copper on hair follicle cycle regulation. (9) More recent studies have demonstrated GHK copper’s positive impact in diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. (11)

Utilizing the knowledge that copper peptides provide an essential function relative to tissue repair and skin health, it is ProCyte's goal to provide the clinician with safe and effective products to enhance the healing outcome of cosmetic surgery and hair transplant procedures, leading to a more effective procedure and improved results. The GraftCyte® System, Complex Cu₃® and Iamin® family of products incorporate both the science of copper peptides, and the known benefits of moist wound healing. (10)

The Neova® line of anti-aging products provides GHK Copper Peptide Complex™ in cosmetically elegant formulations for daily skin care.

ProCyte continues to explore new applications for copper peptide complexes bringing new innovation to physicians and consumers to help improve outcomes and quality of life.

References:

1. Linder MC. Biochemistry of Copper. E. Freiden, Ed. Plenum Press. 1991.
2. Schlesinger DH, et al. Growth-modulating serum tripeptide glycyl-histidyl-lysine. Experientia 33: 324. 1977.
3. Fish, et al. Evaluation of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex in acute wound healing. Effects in post Mohs' surgery wounds. Wounds 3: 171. 1991.
4. Mulder, et al. Enhanced healing of ulcers in patients with diabetes by topical treatment with glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper. Wound Rep and Regen 2: 259. 1994.
5. Maquart, et al. In vivo stimulation of connective tissue accumulation by the tripeptide-copper complex glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine-Cu(II) in rat experimental wounds. J Clin Invest 92: 2368. 1993.
6. Schmidt, et al. The combined effects of glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine:copper (II) and cell tak on the healing of linear incision wounds. Wounds 6: 62. 1994.
7. Raju, et al. Ceruloplasmin, copper ions, and angiogenesis. J Nat Cancer Inst 69. 1982.
8. Miller, et al. Effects of glycyl-histidyl-lysyl chelated Cu (II) on ferritin dependent lipid peroxidation. Antioxidants in Therapy and Preventative Medicine. Plenum Pub Corp. 1990.
9. Trachy, et al. Phototrichogram analysis of hair follicle stimulation: a pilot clinical study with a peptide-copper complex. Dermatologic Research Techniques. H. Maibach, Ed. CRC Press. 1996.
10. Vogt, et al. Dry, moist, and wet skin wound repair. Ann Plas Surg 34 (5). 1995.
11. Data on file ProCyte Corporation.
12. Oddos T; Jumeau-Lafond A; Ries G. 2002 Feb 22-27. Requirement Of Copper And Tripeptide Glycyl-L-Histidyl-L-Lysine-Cu (GHK) Complex Formation For Collagen Synthesis Activity In Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts. Presented at the American Academy of Dermatology 60th Annual Meeting. New Orleans, LA.