Therapy with the NL-GHK-Cu peptide enables the maintenance of proper blood flow in the body and, as a result, the peptide is helpful in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, allowing the body to remain healthy and consequently extending lifespan.

Introduction

Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. The most important risk factors for heart disease include arterial hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders, diabetes, smoking, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, overweight and obesity, chronic excessive stress, age and gender. The action of the NL-GHK-Cu peptide allows the elimination of cardiovascular diseases related to age, heredity, mechanical injuries, or unhealthy lifestyle through regulation of fibrinogen levels and reduction of cardiotoxicity.

HEART STRUCTURE

The circulatory system, as a closed system transporting blood, consists of the heart and blood vessels. The main element of the circulatory system is the heart, located in the mediastinum behind the sternum. It is built from striated cardiac muscle tissue, which enables contractions that drive blood circulation in the vessels. The heart consists of two atria and two ventricles, the right and left ventricle. Since the atria only transfer blood to the ventricles, their walls are thinner than those of the ventricles, which pump blood into all arteries. In order for blood to reach even the most distant cells of the body, its pressure must be sufficiently high. Veins open into the atria, bringing blood to the heart, while arteries leave the ventricles, carrying blood away from the heart. Between the atria and ventricles, as well as at the exits of the vessels, there are valves that open in only one direction, ensuring one-way blood flow and preventing backflow.

HEART FUNCTION

Heartbeat is a continuous process, because the lack of blood supply to any organ leads to irreversible and dangerous changes and tissue death. Blood delivered through the veins is first transported to both atria, and when they contract, it is pushed into the ventricles. During ventricular contraction, blood is pumped out of the heart into the arteries. After this stage, the heart remains in a short resting period, and during relaxation the atria refill with blood.

STRUCTURE OF BLOOD VESSELS

Blood is distributed throughout the body by blood vessels, namely arteries, veins, and capillaries. The outer layer of blood vessels serves as a protective layer, the middle layer is made of smooth muscle tissue allowing constriction and dilation to regulate blood flow, while the inner layer is thin and smooth to ensure free blood flow. Blood in arteries flows under very high pressure, so the muscular layer and inner membrane are thick. In contrast, the muscle layer of veins is thin due to low blood pressure. The inner membrane forms valves that prevent backflow and help pump blood against gravity. Between arteries and veins there are connections in the form of very thin capillaries forming dense networks. Capillary walls consist of a single layer of cells, i.e. simple squamous epithelium, enabling gas exchange and the passage of various substances in and out of the vessels.

BLOOD CIRCULATION

Blood flow is possible thanks to a closed system consisting of two circulations: pulmonary and systemic. In the pulmonary circulation, blood containing a large amount of carbon dioxide and a small amount of oxygen is pumped from the right ventricle into the pulmonary arteries. These branch into smaller arterioles and finally become capillaries surrounding the alveoli. Gas exchange occurs between capillary blood and alveoli, where blood releases carbon dioxide and absorbs oxygen by diffusion. Oxygenated blood returns through venules, which merge into larger veins. Through the pulmonary veins, oxygen-rich blood enters the left atrium. During atrial contraction, blood flows into the left ventricle, where the second circulation begins—the systemic circulation. Blood from the left ventricle enters the largest artery of the body, the aorta, which branches into smaller arteries. Near body cells, these form capillary networks. Through them, oxygen and nutrients are delivered to tissues, while metabolic waste is removed. Gas exchange occurs at the cellular level: oxygen moves into tissues and carbon dioxide diffuses into capillaries. Deoxygenated blood is collected into venules, which merge into larger veins. The superior and inferior vena cava return blood with carbon dioxide to the right atrium.

MOST COMMON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES

Coronary artery disease, including acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, structural heart defects, valvular defects, arrhythmias and conduction disorders Symptoms: The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is chest pain accompanied by a feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest. The pain is usually located behind the sternum and occurs during stress or physical exertion. Additionally, breathing difficulties and nausea may occur. Chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, venous thromboembolic disease Symptoms: visibly enlarged superficial veins resembling cords or dark clusters with palpable bulges, swelling of the legs and feet, dull or burning pain especially after long standing, heaviness in the legs, itching, tingling, muscle cramps. Hypertension Symptoms: headaches and insomnia, palpitations, tinnitus, visual disturbances, and dizziness. Heart failure Symptoms: fluid retention causing swelling, shortness of breath, and fatigue. Myocardial infarction Symptoms: severe chest pain, sudden exertional dyspnea, severe abdominal pain with vomiting or nausea, severe dizziness, fainting or loss of consciousness, palpitations, weakness. Arrhythmia Symptoms: slow or fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, breathing difficulties, choking sensation, angina-like pain, fainting, dizziness, anxiety, memory disorders. Stroke Symptoms: limb weakness and facial asymmetry around the mouth. Rheumatic heart disease Symptoms: shortness of breath and chest pain, especially behind the sternum, radiating to the back, neck, or left shoulder, worsening with coughing or lying down. Raynaud's syndrome Symptoms: whitening of fingers or toes (sometimes nose or ears). Cardiopulmonary syndrome Symptoms: palpitations, shortness of breath, fainting, cold hands and feet, and cyanosis of the skin.

POSITIVE EFFECT OF GHK-Cu ON CARDIOTOXICITY

Cardiotoxicity manifests as heart rhythm disorders affecting cardiac efficiency. The NL-GHK-Cu peptide reduces the risk of these conditions and associated symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and fainting. According to studies, cardiotoxicity induced during NL-GHK-Cu use significantly affects stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening parameters. Research on recombinant tripeptide expression, purification, and characterization revealed a strong protective function of NL-GHK-Cu against cardiotoxicity.

POSITIVE EFFECT OF GHK-Cu ON FIBRINOGEN SUPPRESSION

Regardless of the cause of increased fibrinogen levels in plasma, it should be remembered that it is always a negative predictor of thromboembolic diseases. NL-GHK-Cu has a strong effect on microcirculation, where blood behaves as a thixotropic fluid. The peptide regulates fibrinogen levels, and recent studies show that fibrinogen is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, NL-GHK-Cu inhibits interleukin-6 production, a key regulator of fibrinogen synthesis. Gene profile data indicate that NL-GHK-Cu reduces the frequency of the fibrinogen beta chain gene.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. L. Pickart, A. Margolina, Regenerative and Protective Actions of the GHK-Cu. 2018; 19; doi:10.3390/ijms19071987

2. A. Kubica, G. Grześk, Z. Grąbczewska, Cardiovascular diseases – a challenge for health promotion. 2006, 11, 2, 44–47.