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Study · Animal study (in vivo) · caenorhabditis elegans · 2026

18 results

The GHK-Cu delays aging in Caenorhabditis elegans via coordinated regulation of mitochondrial function and activation of DAF-16/SKN-1 pathways.

Wen H, Zhao K, Luo X, Pu J, Li Y, Dou Y, He J, Nie X, Ke Y, Zhou W

Biogerontology5 May 2026

PMID42084774 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1007/s10522-026-10444-x (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-42084774
Publisher pagePubMedAsk about this study
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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study18

18 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu significantly extended lifespan.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu extended lifespan.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseLifespan
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Aging markers · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    GHK-Cu significantly extended lifespan of C. elegans
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu enhanced resistance to oxidative stress.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu increased resistance to oxidative stress.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseOxidative stress resistance
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Aging markers · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    enhanced resistance to oxidative and thermal stress
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu enhanced resistance to thermal stress.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu increased resistance to heat stress.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseThermal stress resistance
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Aging markers · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    enhanced resistance to oxidative and thermal stress
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu improved motility.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu improved movement.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseMotility
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Exercise and physical function · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    improved motility, pharyngeal pumping, defecation rhythm
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu improved pharyngeal pumping.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu improved feeding-muscle pumping.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreasePharyngeal pumping
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Aging markers · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    improved motility, pharyngeal pumping, defecation rhythm
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu improved defecation rhythm.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu improved the rhythm of gut emptying.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedDefecation rhythm
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Aging markers · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    improved motility, pharyngeal pumping, defecation rhythm
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  7. 07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu reduced lipofuscin and lipid accumulation.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu reduced build-up of lipofuscin and fat.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseLipofuscin and lipid accumulation
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Aging markers · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    reduced lipofuscin/lipid accumulation.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  8. 08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu increased mitochondrial membrane potential.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu raised the electrical potential of mitochondria, the cell's energy units.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseMitochondrial membrane potential
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Mechanistically, GHK-Cu preserved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, alleviating age-related mitochondrial network fragmentation, shifting mitochondrial dynamics toward fusion via regulating drp-1 and fzo-1 expression, and promoting ATP biosynthesis.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  9. 09AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu alleviated age-related mitochondrial network fragmentation.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu reduced age-related breaking up of the mitochondrial network.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    DecreaseMitochondrial network fragmentation
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Mechanistically, GHK-Cu preserved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, alleviating age-related mitochondrial network fragmentation, shifting mitochondrial dynamics toward fusion via regulating drp-1 and fzo-1 expression, and promoting ATP biosynthesis.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  10. 10AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu shifted mitochondrial dynamics toward fusion by regulating drp-1 and fzo-1 expression.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu moved mitochondria toward joining together by changing the activity of two genes.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Direction not reportedMitochondrial dynamics (drp-1 and fzo-1 expression)
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Mechanistically, GHK-Cu preserved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, alleviating age-related mitochondrial network fragmentation, shifting mitochondrial dynamics toward fusion via regulating drp-1 and fzo-1 expression, and promoting ATP biosynthesis.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  11. 11AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu promoted ATP biosynthesis.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu increased production of ATP, the cell's energy molecule.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseATP biosynthesis
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Mitochondrial function · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Mechanistically, GHK-Cu preserved mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial membrane potential, alleviating age-related mitochondrial network fragmentation, shifting mitochondrial dynamics toward fusion via regulating drp-1 and fzo-1 expression, and promoting ATP biosynthesis.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  12. 12AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu activated the DAF-16 pathway.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu switched on the DAF-16 stress-response pathway.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseDAF-16 pathway activation
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  13. 13AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu activated the SKN-1 pathway.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu switched on the SKN-1 stress-response pathway.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    IncreaseSKN-1 pathway activation
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  14. 14AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu upregulated sod-3.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu raised the activity of the sod-3 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Increasesod-3 expression
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  15. 15AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu upregulated gst-4.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu raised the activity of the gst-4 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Increasegst-4 expression
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  16. 16AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu upregulated gcs-1.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu raised the activity of the gcs-1 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Increasegcs-1 expression
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  17. 17AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu upregulated lys-7.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu raised the activity of the lys-7 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Increaselys-7 expression
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.
  18. 18AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In Caenorhabditis elegans, GHK‑Cu upregulated lys-8.

    In plain wordsIn roundworms, GHK‑Cu raised the activity of the lys-8 gene.

    Peptide
    GHK-Cu
    Outcome
    Increaselys-8 expression
    Study

    Caenorhabditis elegansn: not reported in source

    Caenorhabditis elegans
    Outcome group
    Receptor activity and mechanism · Aging and longevity
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Meanwhile, GHK-Cu activating DAF-16 and SKN-1 pathway, and upregulating sod-3, gst-4, gcs-1, lys-7 and lys-8.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    In this study, we employed the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to systematically investigate the anti-aging effects of GHK-Cu (GHK complexed with copper) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanisms.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 3Current

    9 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 2

    9 Oct 2026, 03:03 UTC

    Study data updated · source update from Europe PMC

  3. Version 1

    9 Oct 2026, 02:56 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

Publication types

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