AHK-Cu

AHK-Cu (Alanyl-Histidyl-Lysine Copper) is a copper-binding tripeptide structurally similar to the well-researched GHK-Cu but with an alanine substitution at the N-terminus. Like other copper peptides, AHK-Cu has been investigated for its potential biological activities in tissue repair and regeneration. Copper peptides generally function through their ability to deliver copper ions to tissues, which serves as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in connective tissue synthesis and wound healing. Research into AHK-Cu specifically is more limited compared to GHK-Cu, though it shares the fundamental copper-binding tripeptide structure. The peptide may support collagen synthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, and tissue remodeling processes. AHK-Cu is found in some cosmetic formulations targeting skin regeneration and anti-aging applications. The slight structural modification from GHK may confer different tissue penetration, stability, or receptor binding characteristics. Further research is needed to fully characterize AHK-Cu's specific mechanisms and advantages compared to other copper peptide variants.

Published research that isolates AHK-Cu from the far more extensively studied GHK-Cu is sparse. No human clinical trials of AHK-Cu were found; most marketed benefits (hair, skin) rest on in-vitro data and extrapolation, and commercial naming of 'copper tripeptide' products is inconsistent across sources.

AHK-Cu is a copper-binding tripeptide (Ala-His-Lys complexed with Cu2+) proposed to deliver copper to tissues; no well-characterized human pharmacokinetic data (half-life, dosing) were found in reliable sources.