Teduglutide vs GHK
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Recovery & Repair
TeduglutideSkin & CosmeticAnti-Aging & Longevity
GHK- Summary
- Teduglutide is a GLP-2 (glucagon-like peptide-2) analog with enhanced stability. Unlike GLP-1, GLP-2 specifically acts on the intestinal epithelium to increase intestinal length, villus height, and absorption surface area. FDA-approved as Gattex for short bowel syndrome, it is also being investigated for IBD, leaky gut, and mucosal healing.
- GHK is the natural tripeptide (Gly-His-Lys) released from human albumin that activates tissue remodeling, collagen synthesis, and anti-aging gene expression. The copper-free form is the biological signaling molecule; it chelates copper in tissue to form GHK-Cu but also has independent biological activity.
- Half-Life
- ~2 hours; once-daily dosing due to gut-specific residence
- Extremely short as free peptide; tissue binding extends local effects
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- SubQ, Topical, Oral
- Research
- —
- —
- Typical Dose
- 0.05 mg/kg/day
- 100–500 mcg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Daily or 5x per week
- Key Benefits
- Increases intestinal villus height and absorption surface area
- Reduces intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- FDA-approved for short bowel syndrome
- Reduces parenteral nutrition dependence in SBS patients
- Promotes intestinal mucosal healing in IBD
- Increases tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin
- Stimulates collagen and extracellular matrix synthesis
- Activates tissue repair gene expression programs
- Anti-aging: reverses 57% of age-related gene changes
- Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
- Wound healing and skin barrier repair
- Improves skin laxity, texture, and radiance
- Neuroprotective (stimulates NGF, BDNF)
- Anti-fibrotic in liver and lung models
- Side Effects
- Injection site reactions
- Abdominal pain and bloating
- Nausea
- Risk of intestinal polyp growth (requires colonoscopy surveillance)
- +1 more
- Excellent safety profile (naturally occurring peptide)
- Rare: mild injection site reaction (SC)
- No significant adverse effects identified in research
- Stacks With
- —
- —