AHK-Cu vs Adipotide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
- Summary
- AHK-Cu is a copper tripeptide composed of alanine, histidine, and lysine chelated to copper. Distinct from GHK-Cu, AHK-Cu exhibits strong affinity for hair follicle receptors and demonstrates potent hair growth stimulation alongside wound healing and skin regeneration properties.
- Adipotide (FTPP) is a chimeric proapoptotic peptide that selectively targets and destroys blood vessels feeding white adipose tissue. It binds prohibitin on the vasculature of fat tissue, delivering a proapoptotic sequence that induces cell death in fat-specific blood vessels, causing targeted fat tissue regression.
- Half-Life
- Hours (topical, variable by formulation)
- Estimated 2-4 hours
- Admin Route
- Topical, Scalp application, Subcutaneous (research)
- Subcutaneous, Intravenous (research)
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.01–0.1% concentration
- Not established for humans; primate studies used 0.1-1 mg/kg
- Frequency
- Once or twice daily
- Daily for 4 weeks (research protocol)
- Key Benefits
- Stimulates hair follicle growth and reduces shedding
- Increases dermal papilla cell proliferation
- Promotes wound healing and skin regeneration
- Antioxidant protection via superoxide dismutase activation
- Improves skin elasticity and firmness
- Supports collagen and elastin production
- Targeted reduction of white adipose tissue
- Promotes fat vasculature apoptosis without systemic toxicity
- Demonstrated significant fat loss in primate studies
- Potential for visceral and subcutaneous fat reduction
- Novel non-hormonal mechanism distinct from GLP-1 agonists
- Explored for obesity and metabolic syndrome
- Side Effects
- Generally well-tolerated topically
- Mild scalp irritation or redness in sensitive individuals
- Possible temporary hair shedding phase at treatment initiation
- Copper accumulation with excessive systemic use (rare)
- Renal toxicity observed in primate studies (transient, dose-dependent)
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances in research
- Weight regain upon cessation
- Limited human data; side effect profile largely from animal studies
- Stacks With
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