This may be due to copper's ability to enhance the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs).16 MMPs normally regulate the degradation of collagen, and a specific one, MMP-1, may be responsible for the initiation of collagen fragmentation.17 Supporting this, a 2024 study noted that elevated MMP-1 levels appear to contribute to aging skin and that higher MMP-1 levels in mice led to:18 The loss and fragmentation of dermal collagen fibrils Contracted fibroblast morphology Reduced collagen production Increased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators Additionally, a 2016 study found that GHK-Cu significantly increased gene expression of MMP-1 and MMP-2 at the lowest concentration, which the studys authors considered to be one of the reasons the peptide was able to increase collagen and elastin production.19 So, what this could ultimately mean is that using too much GHK-Cu (or other copper peptides) may in theory increase the skins MMP-1 concentration above the levels involved in healthy collagen production, taking it into the collagen fragmentation and breakdown territory seen in older skin with naturally higher MMP-1 levels
GHK-Cu was first isolated from human plasma by Loren Pickart in 1973 and identified as the factor responsible for old human liver tissue behaving like young tissue in cell culture assays
BCL2L1 and BCL2 are anti-apoptotic proteins belonging to the BCL2 family that function by preventing the oligomerization of the BAX and BAK proteins and maintaining the integrity of mitochondrial membrane, thus inhibiting cell apoptosis at high expression 37
Human mutation data reported
Considering this information, dosing a 1:1 blend of BPC-157 + TB-500 at 1mcg/kg daily (0.5mcg/kg each) may be a decent starting point for most researchers
Any discussion of BPC-157 is education-only and focused on oral supplement options
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