Source comparison
Quick Comparison Table
Full name. GHK-Cu is the glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex. BPC-157 is Body Protection Compound-157. Origin. GHK-Cu is naturally occurring — found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. BPC-157 is synthetic, derived from a gastric-protective protein in hu
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- Full name. GHK-Cu is the glycyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine copper complex. BPC-157 is Body Protection Compound-157.
- Origin. GHK-Cu is naturally occurring — found in human plasma, saliva, and urine. BPC-157 is synthetic, derived from a gastric-protective protein in human stomach juice.
- Molecular weight. GHK-Cu: approximately 340 Da (tripeptide plus copper ion). BPC-157: 1,419 Da (pentadecapeptide).
- Primary mechanism. GHK-Cu works through copper delivery, SOD activity, lysyl oxidase activation, and gene expression remodeling. BPC-157 works through nitric oxide synthesis (Akt-eNOS and Src-Caveolin-1-eNOS pathways), VEGF upregulation, and GH receptor sensitization.
- Primary tissue targets. GHK-Cu targets skin, connective tissue, extracellular matrix, and hair follicles. BPC-157 targets tendons, ligaments, GI tract, muscle, bone, and joints.
- Administration. GHK-Cu is clinically studied in topical form; subcutaneous use exists only in community settings with no human injection trials. BPC-157 can be administered subcutaneously near an injury site, orally for GI applications, or intramuscularly.
- Typical injection dose. GHK-Cu: 0.5 to 1 mg per day. BPC-157: 250 to 500 mcg per day.
- Human clinical evidence. GHK-Cu has human evidence — topical wound healing studies and collagen synthesis data. BPC-157's human evidence is extremely limited: one Phase I trial of unknown status, one retrospective study with 12 patients, and one IV pilot study with 2 subjects.
- Gene modulation. GHK-Cu has computationally identified modulation of over 4,000 genes. BPC-157's effects at the gene expression level have not been characterized.
- Regulatory status. GHK-Cu is not FDA-approved but legal as a research chemical; topical formulations are widely available as cosmetics. BPC-157 is not FDA-approved and was classified as a Category 2 bulk drug substance in 2023, meaning it cannot be legally compounded. GHK-Cu is not WADA-prohibited. BPC-157 is explicitly prohibited under S0 (Non-Approved Substances) since 2022.
- Best for. GHK-Cu suits skin repair, wound healing, anti-aging, and collagen support. BPC-157 suits tendon and ligament injury, GI healing, and musculoskeletal recovery.