Regenerative properties of the NL-GHK-Cu peptide concerning the skin. Peptide therapy in the elimination of postoperative and post-acne scars

Therapy with the NL-GHK-Cu peptide stimulates regenerative processes, thereby leading to the elimination of scars of various origins and reducing the risk of these skin changes occurring. 

Introduction

NL-GHK-Cu as a signaling peptide consists of 3 amino acids: glycine, histidine, and lysine, structurally connected by copper. The connection with copper is important because many enzymes in the human body cannot function without its presence. Copper is found in several enzymes in the body, including an important antioxidant enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD). The NL-GHK-Cu peptide promotes exceptionally effective action allowing the regeneration of damaged skin, including scars of various origins, visibly softening existing scars as well as inhibiting the formation of new ones.   

SKIN STRUCTURE 

The skin covering our body is considered one of the largest organs of our body. The condition of our skin often reflects the condition of our entire organism. The skin is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the subcutaneous tissue. The first layer, the epidermis, is the outermost layer of the skin, consisting of the basal, spinous, granular, clear, and horny layers. The epidermis has no blood or lymphatic vessels. The dermis consists of the reticular layer, papillary layer, and skin appendages. The subcutaneous tissue, along with the fat tissue it contains, gives shape to the skin coverings. It connects the dermis with structures such as tendons, muscles, or bones. Additionally, in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, skin appendages are distributed, which include hair follicles, eccrine and apocrine sweat glands, sebaceous glands, as well as blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerve endings. The network of nerve vessels is located in the dermis, and the skin's blood supply is arterial-venous and lymphatic. Furthermore, the skin surface is covered by a lipid mantle and exfoliated epidermis.  

SKIN FUNCTIONS

Human skin performs many physiological functions. Fulfilling an important physiological role, it protects internal organs from harmful environmental, physical, chemical, and microbiological factors. It also helps maintain balance between the body and the environment. The most important functions of the skin, which are widely known, include the mentioned protective function as well as the body's thermoregulatory function, participation in water and excretory balance, involvement in the synthesis of proteins and certain compounds, and participation in the metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Additionally, it plays an important role in the body's immune response and sensory signal conduction. Healthy skin is free from damage related to improper care or adverse environmental effects, tolerates changes in temperature and humidity well, and responds properly to most skincare products.   

EXPOSOMES - FACTORS AFFECTING SKIN CONDITION

The exposome, as a relatively new concept used in research related to skin damage, is used to describe the totality of factors that affect the condition and state of human skin. In general, the exposome refers to the factors to which our body is exposed in daily life, every day. Exposure to these factors is divided into three groups: 

A. Internal factors, which include metabolism, hormone levels, body structure, physical activity, gut microflora, presence of inflammatory conditions, oxidative stress, or aging;

B. External general factors related to stress, climate, or living environment (urban/rural);

C. External specific factors, which include chemical pollutants, environmental pollution, infectious agents, radioactivity, smoking, alcohol consumption, work, food, lack of sleep.  It is worth mentioning that 80% of cases that worsen and affect the abnormal condition of the skin are related to an improper lifestyle, which includes many factors such as stress, UV rays, lack of sleep, improper diet, smog, smoking, or alcohol consumption.   

SCAR FORMATION 

The formation of scars consists of three basic phases, which are:

Inflammatory or exudative phase  The body's first response after injury is bleeding, followed by the formation of a blood clot. This clot acts as a natural dressing that protects the injured area from contamination and excessive water loss. The clot also forms a layer beneath which the healing processes take place processes causing wound healingAn inflammatory state arises at the injury site, triggering the production of immune bodies and skin regenerative processes. At this stage of wound healing, growth factors are activated, stimulating the formation of new tissue. The inflammatory phase lasts several days and ends with the cleansing phase, during which phagocytic cells (macrophages) appear to clean the wound of microorganisms and dead cells.

2. Proliferative phase  During this phase, rapid healing or granulation occurs. New cells form at the site of skin damage. Collagen, the main protein of connective tissue, is produced, marking the beginning of scar formation. It also creates new blood vessels and other cells that help strengthen the tissues at the injured site.

3. Scar maturation phase The scar maturation phase involves comprehensive skin reconstruction at the injury site which involves the gradual removal of water from the wound. Collagen fibers thicken, forming the basis for the developing scar. The scar becomes covered with epithelium, and the damaged skin strengthens, making it increasingly resistant to mechanical damage. Two months after the wound forms, with proper healing, the scar is 80% as strong as the previously healthy skin. However, the maturation phase can last several years, during which the scar undergoes remodeling, changing its appearance and character. The raised, dark, and hard mark from the wound becomes smoother, lighter, and more elastic.  

TYPES OF SCARS

The types of scars differ according to various aspects, and this is the classification: 

A. According to the time of formation:

• Immature scars are most often red and slightly raised, only becoming flat over time. Immature scars can cause discomfort in the form of itching or even pain.

B. According to appearance:

• Bhypertrophic scars these are scars that result from a prolonged healing process. A hypertrophic scar grows excessively within the damaged skin, has a characteristic red color, is thickened, raised, and protrudes above the skin
• Atrophic scars are scars formed due to the breakdown of collagen fibers. They are characterized by a round and concave shape. Stretch marks and post-acne scars are classified as atrophic scars
• Hypertrophic scars 
• Keloids are scars that grow beyond the boundaries of the primary wound and do not undergo spontaneous regression

C. According to origin:

• Postoperative scars, which are scars resulting from various surgical procedures, are limited to the edge of the primary surgical incision. 
• Bscars afterburn scars, which are extensive, raised, and often itchy or even painful. Their treatment is complicated and time-consuming
• Post-acne scars are the most common scars on the face and are usually atrophic in nature. Their size depends on the severity of acne and the course of the healing process
• Post-traumatic scars are a type of scar frequently appearing in children and in people who actively practice sports

EFFECT OF THE NL-GHK-CU PEPTIDE ON SCARS

The copper tripeptide NL GHK-Cu is useful not only in primary treatment but also in the tissue remodeling process, i.e., restoring normal structure and function to damaged tissue. The peptide accelerates keratinocyte distribution and proper collagen synthesis, improves skin thickness, elasticity, and firmness, enhances the appearance of wrinkles, effects of photoaging, and discolorations, brightens the skin, and tightens proteins forming the protective barrier. Additionally, scarring processes are minimized, and due to its direct effect on fibroblasts, protein synthesis is increased. The NL-GHK-Cu peptide stimulates active, multidimensional remodeling of the extracellular matrix of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, increasing its elasticity and stability with a visible effect of skin resilience. These properties allow the NL-GHK-Cu peptide to alleviate and even significantly remove scars of various origins, as well as to prevent scar formation, thereby limiting their development.  

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

1.  M.Przewłocka-Gągała. Contemporary model of managing the problem of scars in cosmetology and aesthetic medicine. Aesth Cosmetol Med. 2021;10(1):39-47
2. Newton.V, Bradley.R, Seroul.P, Cherel.M, Novel approaches to characterize age-related remodeling of the dermal-epidermal junction in 2D, 3D and in vivo. Skin Res. 2017; 23:131–148.

3. Amano.S, Characterization and mechanisms of photoageing-related changes in skin. Damage to the basement membrane and dermal structures. 2016; 25: 14–19.