F. Buffoni et al., EFFECT OF TRIPEPTIDE-COPPER COMPLEXES ON THE PROCESS OF SKIN WOUND-HEALING AND ON CULTURED FIBROBLASTS, Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de therapie, 330(3), 1995, pp. 345-360
The effects of Gly-His-Lys-Cu and of three synthetic analogues (I, II
and III) on wound healing of the guinea-pig dorsal skin, as well as on
cultured fibroblasts, were examined. Gly-His-Lys-Cu and peptide I-Cu
were tested in vivo. Hydroxyproline, proteins, DNA and semicarbazide-s
ensitive amine oxidase, with a high affinity for benzylanine, were mea
sured, and the histology of the wounds was observed after staining wit
h hematoxylin/eosin. Another set of wounds was treated in parallel wit
h equivalent amounts of copper acetate. Gly-His-Lys-Cu and the analogu
es caused a decrease of the activity of semicarbazide-sensitive amine
oxidase, with a high affinity for benzylamine, 4-8 days after surgery,
followed by an increase on day 11 that was higher than in the control
group. No significant difference was found between the two peptides.
A slower reorganization of the skin and a delayed activation of fibrob
lasts are the main effects observed with these peptides-Cu complexes.
Preliminary studies on cultured fibroblasts were monitored to see whet
her these peptides had a direct effect on fibroblasts. The products st
udied at a concentration of 10(-7) M, decreased cell reproduction and
increased collagen expression.