Since the dawn of time, people have tried to discover the secret of eternal youth and find a way ... more Since the dawn of time, people have tried to discover the secret of eternal youth and find a way to reverse aging. Among the most popular ingredients of the elusive elixir of youth sought by ancient mages and alchemists were herbs, powdered gems, gold, silver and mercury as well as animal parts and extracts. The most common belief was that the »essence of youth« can be transferred from young to old people - often in a form of blood or other body fluids. Today it is known that plasma and other body fluids (such as saliva) indeed contain a multitude of soluble growth factors that can enhance reparative and renewing activity of various cells and tissues (1). Of course neither blood nor saliva or other fluids produced by the human body can be used in cosmetics. Therefore the biological regulators with proven scientific activity that can be purified or produced by chemical synthesis are of particular interest for the cosmetic industry. One of the anti-aging activities that is present in ...
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is present in human plasma, saliva, and urine but declines with ... more GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is present in human plasma, saliva, and urine but declines with age. It is proposed that GHK functions as a complex with copper 2+ which accelerates wound healing and skin repair. GHK stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen and glycosaminoglycans and modulates the activity of both metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. It stimulates collagen, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and the small proteoglycan, decorin. It also restores replicative vitality to fibroblasts after radiation therapy. The molecule attracts immune and endothelial cells to the site of an injury. It accelerates woundhealing of the skin, hair follicles, gastrointestinal tract, boney tissue, and foot pads of dogs. It also induces systemic wound healing in rats, mice, and pigs. In cosmetic products, it has been found to tighten loose skin and improve elasticity, skin density, and firmness, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce photodamage, and hyperpigmentation, and...
The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring small plasma tripeptide (glycyl-... more The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring small plasma tripeptide (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) with a high affinity for copper (2+). GHK-Cu has multiple biological effects. It is known to stimulate regeneration of skin, nervous tissue, bones, lungs and liver, protect liver from oxidative damage, restore activity of irradiated fibroblasts, reduce inflammation and increase levels of antioxidant enzymes. Recent studies established that GHK modulates activity of a number of genes. It has been shown to reverse pathological expression of 70% genes in a gene signature for metastasis-prone colon cancer and shift gene expression in COPD lungs from destruction to healthy remodeling. In this paper, we present GHK-Cu’s gene effects on MCF7 breast cancer cells and PC3 prostate cancer cells and review laboratory evidence supporting GHK’s ability to restore tissue integrity and health via multiple mechanisms, which can be beneficial for cancer treatment.
During human ageing, skin becomes thinner and accumulates various skin lesions and imperfections.... more During human ageing, skin becomes thinner and accumulates various skin lesions and imperfections. The structural proteins are progressively damaged causing collagen and elastin lose their resiliency. The skin’s water-holding proteins and sugars diminish, the dermis and epidermis thin, the microcirculation becomes disorganized, and the subcutaneous fat cells diminish in number. Decades of exposure to ultraviolet rays, irritants, allergens, and various environmental toxins further intensify these effects. The result is a wrinkled, dry, inelastic skin populated by unsightly lesions.
Background: Stem cell technology is a promising research area with a potential to create effectiv... more Background: Stem cell technology is a promising research area with a potential to create effective therapies for many degenerative diseases. However, to apply stem cell technology, we need to be able to identify and understand mechanisms that distinguish healthy regeneration processes from processes, which may result in chronic inflammation, scarring, fibrosis or cancer. GHK-Cu (glycine-L-histidine-lysine) is a small copper-binding peptide, which has a remarkable and well-documented ability to improve wound healing and tissue regeneration, regulate remodeling of connective tissue and synthesis of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, reduce inflammation and scarring, increase antioxidant-enzymes and protect cells from toxic by-products of lipid peroxidation. Methods: Authors used a computer-based gene profiling tool, The Connectivity Map, to identify a number of human genes regulated by GHK, relevant to regulation of cell differentiation, apoptosis and stem cell function. Results: The number of human genes associated with stem cell function was 57 genes in the range of increases of 50% UP and 46 genes in the range of decreases of 50% DOWN. Conclusion: Based on laboratory data and gene profiling data, GHK-Cu may be used to improve stem cell therapy and to help shift regeneration processes to healthy regeneration.
The human peptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) has multiple biological actions, all of which,... more The human peptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) has multiple biological actions, all of which, according to our current knowledge, appear to be health positive. It stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, increases collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, as well as supports the function of dermal fibroblasts. GHK's ability to improve tissue repair has been demonstrated for skin, lung connective tissue, boney tissue, liver, and stomach lining. GHK has also been found to possess powerful cell protective actions, such as multiple anti-cancer activities and anti-inflammatory actions, lung protection and restoration of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fibroblasts, suppression of molecules thought to accelerate the diseases of aging such as NFκB, anti-anxiety, anti-pain and anti-aggression activities, DNA repair, and activation of cell cleansing via the proteasome system. Recent genetic data may explain such diverse protective and healing actions of one molecule, revealing multiple biochemical pathways regulated by GHK.
Neurodegeneration, the progressive death of neurons, loss of brain function, and cognitive declin... more Neurodegeneration, the progressive death of neurons, loss of brain function, and cognitive decline is an increasing problem for senior populations. Its causes are poorly understood and therapies are largely ineffective. Neurons, with high energy and oxygen requirements, are especially vulnerable to detrimental factors, including age-related dysregulation of biochemical pathways caused by altered expression of multiple genes. GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a human copper-binding peptide with biological actions that appear to counter aging-associated diseases and conditions. GHK, which declines with age, has health promoting effects on many tissues such as chondrocytes, liver cells and human fibroblasts, improves wound healing and tissue regeneration (skin, hair follicles, stomach and intestinal linings, boney tissue), increases collagen, decorin, angiogenesis, and nerve outgrowth, possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pain and anti-anxiety effects, increases cellular stemness and the secretion of trophic factors by mesenchymal stem cells. Studies using the Broad Institute Connectivity Map show that GHK peptide modulates expression of multiple genes, resetting pathological gene expression patterns back to health. GHK has been recommended as a treatment for metastatic cancer, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, inflammation, acute lung injury, activating stem cells, pain, and anxiety. Here, we present GHK's effects on gene expression relevant to the nervous system health and function.
Topical remedies capable of protecting skin from damage and supporting its regeneration can impro... more Topical remedies capable of protecting skin from damage and supporting its regeneration can improve skin's health as well as its appearance. Small copper peptides have an excellent safety record and are widely used in cosmetic products. The most studied copper peptide is GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), a small copper-binding peptide, naturally present in human plasma. Since its discovery in 1973, in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that GHK-Cu possesses a wealth of health-positive actions including improving wound contraction and epithelization, and increasing the production of growth factors and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Recently, gene expression profiling shed new light on diverse biological actions of GHK-Cu. The present paper discusses evidence of GHK-Cu and other small copper peptides possessing potent anti-cancer properties.
Since the dawn of time, people have tried to discover the secret of eternal youth and find a way ... more Since the dawn of time, people have tried to discover the secret of eternal youth and find a way to reverse aging. Among the most popular ingredients of the elusive elixir of youth sought by ancient mages and alchemists were herbs, powdered gems, gold, silver and mercury as well as animal parts and extracts. The most common belief was that the »essence of youth« can be transferred from young to old people - often in a form of blood or other body fluids. Today it is known that plasma and other body fluids (such as saliva) indeed contain a multitude of soluble growth factors that can enhance reparative and renewing activity of various cells and tissues (1). Of course neither blood nor saliva or other fluids produced by the human body can be used in cosmetics. Therefore the biological regulators with proven scientific activity that can be purified or produced by chemical synthesis are of particular interest for the cosmetic industry. One of the anti-aging activities that is present in ...
GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is present in human plasma, saliva, and urine but declines with ... more GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is present in human plasma, saliva, and urine but declines with age. It is proposed that GHK functions as a complex with copper 2+ which accelerates wound healing and skin repair. GHK stimulates both synthesis and breakdown of collagen and glycosaminoglycans and modulates the activity of both metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. It stimulates collagen, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and the small proteoglycan, decorin. It also restores replicative vitality to fibroblasts after radiation therapy. The molecule attracts immune and endothelial cells to the site of an injury. It accelerates woundhealing of the skin, hair follicles, gastrointestinal tract, boney tissue, and foot pads of dogs. It also induces systemic wound healing in rats, mice, and pigs. In cosmetic products, it has been found to tighten loose skin and improve elasticity, skin density, and firmness, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, reduce photodamage, and hyperpigmentation, and...
The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring small plasma tripeptide (glycyl-... more The human copper-binding peptide GHK-Cu is a naturally occurring small plasma tripeptide (glycyl-l-histidyl-l-lysine) with a high affinity for copper (2+). GHK-Cu has multiple biological effects. It is known to stimulate regeneration of skin, nervous tissue, bones, lungs and liver, protect liver from oxidative damage, restore activity of irradiated fibroblasts, reduce inflammation and increase levels of antioxidant enzymes. Recent studies established that GHK modulates activity of a number of genes. It has been shown to reverse pathological expression of 70% genes in a gene signature for metastasis-prone colon cancer and shift gene expression in COPD lungs from destruction to healthy remodeling. In this paper, we present GHK-Cu’s gene effects on MCF7 breast cancer cells and PC3 prostate cancer cells and review laboratory evidence supporting GHK’s ability to restore tissue integrity and health via multiple mechanisms, which can be beneficial for cancer treatment.
During human ageing, skin becomes thinner and accumulates various skin lesions and imperfections.... more During human ageing, skin becomes thinner and accumulates various skin lesions and imperfections. The structural proteins are progressively damaged causing collagen and elastin lose their resiliency. The skin’s water-holding proteins and sugars diminish, the dermis and epidermis thin, the microcirculation becomes disorganized, and the subcutaneous fat cells diminish in number. Decades of exposure to ultraviolet rays, irritants, allergens, and various environmental toxins further intensify these effects. The result is a wrinkled, dry, inelastic skin populated by unsightly lesions.
Background: Stem cell technology is a promising research area with a potential to create effectiv... more Background: Stem cell technology is a promising research area with a potential to create effective therapies for many degenerative diseases. However, to apply stem cell technology, we need to be able to identify and understand mechanisms that distinguish healthy regeneration processes from processes, which may result in chronic inflammation, scarring, fibrosis or cancer. GHK-Cu (glycine-L-histidine-lysine) is a small copper-binding peptide, which has a remarkable and well-documented ability to improve wound healing and tissue regeneration, regulate remodeling of connective tissue and synthesis of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans, reduce inflammation and scarring, increase antioxidant-enzymes and protect cells from toxic by-products of lipid peroxidation. Methods: Authors used a computer-based gene profiling tool, The Connectivity Map, to identify a number of human genes regulated by GHK, relevant to regulation of cell differentiation, apoptosis and stem cell function. Results: The number of human genes associated with stem cell function was 57 genes in the range of increases of 50% UP and 46 genes in the range of decreases of 50% DOWN. Conclusion: Based on laboratory data and gene profiling data, GHK-Cu may be used to improve stem cell therapy and to help shift regeneration processes to healthy regeneration.
The human peptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) has multiple biological actions, all of which,... more The human peptide GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) has multiple biological actions, all of which, according to our current knowledge, appear to be health positive. It stimulates blood vessel and nerve outgrowth, increases collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, as well as supports the function of dermal fibroblasts. GHK's ability to improve tissue repair has been demonstrated for skin, lung connective tissue, boney tissue, liver, and stomach lining. GHK has also been found to possess powerful cell protective actions, such as multiple anti-cancer activities and anti-inflammatory actions, lung protection and restoration of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fibroblasts, suppression of molecules thought to accelerate the diseases of aging such as NFκB, anti-anxiety, anti-pain and anti-aggression activities, DNA repair, and activation of cell cleansing via the proteasome system. Recent genetic data may explain such diverse protective and healing actions of one molecule, revealing multiple biochemical pathways regulated by GHK.
Neurodegeneration, the progressive death of neurons, loss of brain function, and cognitive declin... more Neurodegeneration, the progressive death of neurons, loss of brain function, and cognitive decline is an increasing problem for senior populations. Its causes are poorly understood and therapies are largely ineffective. Neurons, with high energy and oxygen requirements, are especially vulnerable to detrimental factors, including age-related dysregulation of biochemical pathways caused by altered expression of multiple genes. GHK (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine) is a human copper-binding peptide with biological actions that appear to counter aging-associated diseases and conditions. GHK, which declines with age, has health promoting effects on many tissues such as chondrocytes, liver cells and human fibroblasts, improves wound healing and tissue regeneration (skin, hair follicles, stomach and intestinal linings, boney tissue), increases collagen, decorin, angiogenesis, and nerve outgrowth, possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-pain and anti-anxiety effects, increases cellular stemness and the secretion of trophic factors by mesenchymal stem cells. Studies using the Broad Institute Connectivity Map show that GHK peptide modulates expression of multiple genes, resetting pathological gene expression patterns back to health. GHK has been recommended as a treatment for metastatic cancer, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, inflammation, acute lung injury, activating stem cells, pain, and anxiety. Here, we present GHK's effects on gene expression relevant to the nervous system health and function.
Topical remedies capable of protecting skin from damage and supporting its regeneration can impro... more Topical remedies capable of protecting skin from damage and supporting its regeneration can improve skin's health as well as its appearance. Small copper peptides have an excellent safety record and are widely used in cosmetic products. The most studied copper peptide is GHK-Cu (glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine), a small copper-binding peptide, naturally present in human plasma. Since its discovery in 1973, in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that GHK-Cu possesses a wealth of health-positive actions including improving wound contraction and epithelization, and increasing the production of growth factors and activity of antioxidant enzymes. Recently, gene expression profiling shed new light on diverse biological actions of GHK-Cu. The present paper discusses evidence of GHK-Cu and other small copper peptides possessing potent anti-cancer properties.
Uploads
Papers by Loren Pickart