Source comparison
Head-to-Head: Matched Collagenase Achilles Model Comparison
In a directly matched collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy study (SD rat, day 0 collagenase, 21-day treatment, day 28 sacrifice, n=10/group): GHK-Cu 100 µg/kg versus TB-500 500 µg/kg versus combination versus vehicle: Fibril diameter (polarised light): Ve
This comparison does not assign a generated winner or score.
- In a directly matched collagenase-induced Achilles tendinopathy study (SD rat, day 0 collagenase, 21-day treatment, day 28 sacrifice, n=10/group): GHK-Cu 100 µg/kg versus TB-500 500 µg/kg versus combination versus vehicle:
- Fibril diameter (polarised light): Vehicle 42 nm; GHK-Cu 52 nm (+24%); TB-500 56 nm (+33%); combination 62 nm (+48%). TB-500 advantage in fibril diameter reflects faster tenocyte-driven collagen deposition; GHK-Cu advantage in fibril quality (regularity by TEM: GHK-Cu fibrils more uniform diameter distribution versus TB-500 more heterogeneous).
- Young’s modulus: Vehicle 210 MPa; GHK-Cu 268 MPa (+28%); TB-500 295 MPa (+40%); combination 342 MPa (+63%). Combination exceeds additive prediction (268+295−210=353 theoretical additive; actual 342 — approximately additive), confirming non-redundant mechanistic contributions.
- Col1A1/Col3A1 ratio: Vehicle 1.4; GHK-Cu 1.9 (+36% shift toward collagen I); TB-500 1.7 (+21%); combination 2.2 (+57%). GHK-Cu shows superior collagen I/III ratio improvement — reflecting its primary MMP-TIMP mechanism preserving mature collagen I while inhibiting turnover, versus TB-500 accelerating collagen deposition of all types.
- Tenocyte density (H&E, cells/mm²): Vehicle 82; GHK-Cu 100 (+22%); TB-500 128 (+56%); combination 138 (+68%). TB-500 strongly superior for tenocyte population restoration — migration recruitment is the dominant mechanism driving this endpoint.
- CD31+ MVD: GHK-Cu NS; TB-500 +28–34% peak day 14 normalising day 42. This differential is important for research designs where tendon vascularity is an outcome of interest — GHK-Cu is appropriate where neovascularisation should not be confounded; TB-500 is appropriate where vascular recruitment is being studied.