AHK-Cu vs Larazotide Acetate
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Skin & CosmeticAnti-Aging & Longevity
AHK-CuRecovery & Repair
Larazotide Acetate- 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.
- Larazotide acetate is an 8-amino acid peptide (Gly-Gly-Val-Leu-Val-Gln-Pro-Gly) derived from Zonula Occludens Toxin (ZOT) of Vibrio cholerae. It paradoxically acts as a ZOT antagonist to close tight junctions and reduce intestinal permeability ('leaky gut'). It is the most advanced clinical compound targeting gut permeability directly.
- Half-Life
- Hours (topical, variable by formulation)
- Local gut action; minimal systemic exposure
- Admin Route
- Topical, Scalp application, Subcutaneous (research)
- Oral
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.01–0.1% concentration
- 0.5-2 mg
- Frequency
- Once or twice daily
- 3x daily
- 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
- Directly reduces intestinal tight junction permeability
- Clinical efficacy in celiac disease (Phase 3 trials)
- Reduces systemic inflammation from gut permeability
- Targets root cause of leaky gut (Zonulin pathway)
- Local gut action without systemic absorption
- Potential application in IBS, IBD, autoimmune conditions
- 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)
- Headache (mild, dose-dependent)
- Nausea (rare)
- Well-tolerated overall in clinical trials
- Stacks With
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