AHK-CU 100mg

The vascular angle

The published interest in AHK-Cu centres on VEGF upregulation and the microvascular support that follows — angiogenesis around the dermal papilla rather than collagen deposition in the dermis. Alongside that, the copper(II) ion does what copper ions do in this family of peptides: it stabilises superoxide dismutase and participates in lysyl oxidase activity, the enzyme that cross-links collagen and elastin. TGF-β modulation appears in the same body of work. It is a smaller literature than GHK-Cu’s, and that is worth stating plainly rather than dressing up.

Specifications

Research areas

Follicular angiogenesis

The bulk of AHK-Cu investigation concerns VEGF expression and the formation of microvascular support around hair follicles — the blood supply question rather than the keratinocyte question. This is the application the peptide is best known for in the cosmetic-ingredient literature.

Extracellular matrix and cross-linking

Collagen and elastin synthesis via TGF-β signalling and lysyl oxidase, the copper-dependent enzyme responsible for cross-linking both proteins. This overlaps with the GHK-Cu literature and is the part of the mechanism the two peptides most clearly share.

Oxidative stress

Copper is a cofactor for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase. Work in this area examines whether copper-peptide complexes contribute usable copper to that system in dermal and scalp tissue.

Handling

Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water. Store the lyophilized vial refrigerated and protected from light; copper-peptide complexes are light-sensitive and the characteristic blue colour is part of how you judge the material. Do not freeze-thaw repeatedly after reconstitution.

Research use only

This product is sold strictly as a research chemical for in vitro laboratory investigation. It is not a drug, food, cosmetic or dietary supplement, is not for human or veterinary use, and no statement here should be read as a claim of therapeutic benefit.