AHK-Cu
Copper peptide (Ala-His-Lys)
Hair-follicle copper peptide.
Half-life
~ 30 min (plasma); topical residence hours
Mol. weight
387.4 g/mol (with copper)
Sequence
Ala-His-Lys (bound to Cu²⁺)
Discussions
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Overview
A copper-binding peptide (Ala-His-Lys) in the same family as GHK-Cu, researched specifically for hair follicle support. It delivers copper to follicle cells to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and prolong the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle, making it the hair-focused counterpart to GHK-Cu's broader skin-remodeling role.
Mechanism of action
AHK-Cu complexes copper and delivers it to hair-follicle cells, where it upregulates factors that support keratinocyte proliferation and extend the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle while suppressing signals that push follicles into catagen (regression). Like GHK-Cu it modulates tissue-remodeling gene expression, but its research niche is the hair follicle specifically — copper-dependent enzymes in follicle metabolism are the target.
Researched benefits
- Studied for hair growth support
- Promotes keratinocyte proliferation
- Aims to extend the anagen (growth) phase
Considerations
- Evidence more limited than GHK-Cu's skin data
- Research stage
- Copper balance consideration
Key Academic Literature & Studies
Search more in PubMedPeer-reviewed citations and clinical trials evaluating AHK-Cu in scientific literature.
Query PubMed for recent peer-reviewed preclinical and clinical publications on AHK-Cu:
View AHK-Cu index on PubMed (NCBI)