AHK-Cu (100mg)

In the ex vivo/in vitro research by Pyo et al. (2007), AHK-Cu stimulated the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells and the elongation of human hair follicles ex vivo. The publication describes the copper-peptide research context of increased VEGF and decreased TGF-β1, while anti-apoptotic findings for AHK-Cu included an increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and reduced cleaved caspase-3 and PARP. Broader class research associates copper peptides with angiogenesis and extension of the anagen phase, without proving clinical efficacy for AHK-Cu.

• Reconstitution: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 33.33 mg/mL concentration.
• Range reported in research sources: 1 mg to 2 mg once daily.
• Easy measurement: At 33.33 mg/mL, 2 mg = 6 units (0.06 mL) on a U-100 syringe.
• Class-based storage reference: Lyophilized at −20 °C; reconstituted at 2–8 °C and used within 30 days.

1. For a laboratory reference calculation, 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water corresponds to a concentration of approximately 33.3 mg/mL for a 100mg vial.
2. Gentle addition of solvent against the vial wall limits foaming.
3. Gentle swirling continues until the lyophilized material is fully dissolved. A slight blue tint can be normal for a copper complex.
4. The reconstitution date is recorded and the research solution is stored at 2–8 °C, protected from light.

• Identity: AHK-Cu, the copper(II) complex of L-alanyl-L-histidyl-L-lysine and a structural analogue of GHK-Cu.
• Primary research area: Human hair-follicle and dermal papilla-cell biology.
• Evidence level: The primary publication concerns human tissue ex vivo and cells in vitro, not a large randomized human clinical trial.
• Patent literature: Describes preclinical intradermal AHK:Cu research in animal models with signs of hair growth within approximately 10 days; it does not establish a human treatment or dose.
• Schedule reported in research sources: 1 mg to 2 mg subcutaneously, once daily, for 12 weeks.
• Vials for the full schedule: about 2 vials of 100 mg (≈126 mg in total).

• Weeks 1–12: 1–2 mg once daily.
• There is no validated human dosing — research context only.
• Break between cycles: A 2–4 week break is recommended before repeating the cycle.

• Lyophilized (dry powder): Storage at −20 °C or below in dry, dark conditions.
• Reconstituted: Refrigerated at 2–8 °C and used within 30 days. Bacteriostatic water inhibits bacterial growth.
• Aliquoting: For longer laboratory storage, separate into sterile vials at −20 °C and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Vials are allowed to reach room temperature before opening.

• AHK-Cu is not approved by the FDA or EMA for any indication.
• It is sold as a cosmetic ingredient or research compound, without an approved human injectable use.
• Data limitations: The evidence is weaker and earlier than for GHK-Cu: there are no large, long-term randomized human trials.

1. Archives of Pharmacal Research (2007) — Pyo et al. — AHK-Cu in human hair follicles ex vivo and dermal papilla cells in vitro (PMID 17703734)
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2. Pickart patent literature — US5538945A — Preclinical copper-peptide research, including AHK:Cu, in animal hair-growth models
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