Effect of Gly-Gly-His, Gly-His-Lys and their copper complexes on TNF-alpha-dependent IL-6 secretion in normal human dermal fibroblasts

Acta Pol Pharm. 2012 Nov-Dec;69(6):1303-6.

Abstract

Cosmeceuticals represent a marriage between cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. There are numerous cosmeceutically active products which can be broadly classified into the following categories: antioxidants, oligopeptides, growth factors and pigment lightning agents. Much attention has been focused on the tripeptides such as Gly-His-Lys (GHK) and Gly-Gly-His (GGH) and their copper complexes, which have a high activity and good skin tolerance. Recent data suggested their physiological role in process of wound healing, tissue repair and skin inflammation. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory properties of these peptides is not clear. The aim of the study was evaluation of influence of two peptides GGH. GHK and their copper complexes and saccharomyces/copper ferment (Oligolides Copper) on secretion of pro-inflammatory IL-6 in normal human dermal fibroblasts NHDF cell line. IL-6 was evaluated using the ELISA kit. GGH, GHK, CuCl2 and their copper complexes decreased TNF-alpha-dependent IL-6 secretion in fibroblasts. IL-6 is crucial for normal wound healing, skin inflammation and UVB-induced erythema. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties, the copper-peptides could be used on the skin surface instead of corticosteroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which have more side effects. Our observations provide some new information about the role of these tripeptides in skin inflammation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Copper / pharmacology*
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Skin / cytology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Interleukin-6
  • Oligopeptides
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • glycyl-histidyl-lysine
  • diglycyl-histidine
  • Copper