KPVHealing & Recovery
Anti-inflammatory tripeptide studied for gut and skin health.
- Status
- Research / not approved
- Developer
- Synthetic alpha-MSH(11-13) tripeptide
- Receptors / target
- C-terminal alpha-MSH(11-13) tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val); anti-inflammatory via NF-kB/MAPK inhibition; cellular uptake via the PepT1 transporter; melanocortin-receptor-independent
- FDA-approved?
- NO
- Prescription available?
- NO
- Studied for
- anti-inflammatory signalinggut / IBD researchskin inflammation & wound healingantimicrobial activity
Overview
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH 11-13). It retains much of the parent hormone's anti-inflammatory activity while shedding the pigmentary, melanocortin-receptor-driven effects, which has made it a research candidate in models of intestinal and skin inflammation. All published evidence is preclinical — cell-culture and rodent studies — and KPV is handled as a research-use-only compound with no approved therapeutic indication.
Mechanism
In preclinical work, KPV is taken up into intestinal epithelial and immune cells via the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter, where it inhibits NF-kB and MAP-kinase signaling and lowers pro-inflammatory cytokine output at nanomolar concentrations (Dalmasso et al., 2008). Notably, this effect appears largely melanocortin-receptor-independent: it persists in MC1-receptor-deficient mice (Kannengiesser et al., 2008) and is mechanistically distinct from the core alpha-MSH peptides (Getting et al., 2003).
Clinical evidence
There are no published human clinical trials of KPV; the efficacy evidence consists entirely of in-vitro and animal studies. Oral KPV reduced chemically induced colitis in mice, and hyaluronic-acid nanoparticle delivery improved colonic targeting and outcomes in mouse ulcerative-colitis models (Dalmasso 2008; Kannengiesser 2008; Xiao 2017). Translation to humans remains unestablished — efficacy, effective dose and route in people are all unknown.
Safety profile
Human safety of KPV is essentially unstudied: there are no controlled human trials reporting adverse events, dosing or long-term tolerability, so its safety profile in people cannot be characterized from the literature. Preclinical rodent studies did not report overt toxicity at the doses used, but animal tolerability does not establish human safety, and human pharmacokinetics are poorly characterized. This is a research-use-only compound, not FDA-evaluated for any use, and nothing here is therapeutic or dosing guidance.
- Days to weeks
No human trials exist. In mouse colitis models, effects appeared over days to weeks; anecdotal gut/anti-inflammatory use mirrors that window but is unverified in people.
Reported in published literature and user reports. Not a complete list, and not medical advice.
- Injection-site irritation
- Generally well tolerated in research; limited human data
If severe or unexpected symptoms occur, contact a qualified medical professional. PEPTIDES·INDEX does not provide medical advice.
- No human contraindication data exist for KPV; it has not been studied in controlled human trials, so contraindications cannot be characterized from the literature.
- Human pharmacokinetics are poorly characterized and research-grade material may be of unverified purity; people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a medical condition have no safety data to rely on.
- Not for human consumption; research use only. Nothing here is therapeutic or dosing guidance.
- No documented human drug interactionsInteraction profile uncharacterized in humans (research use only)
Compare
- vs KPV Capsules
The oral (capsule) form of the same tripeptide; KPV is taken up by the intestinal PepT1 transporter
- vs BPC-157
Another small research peptide often discussed for gut and anti-inflammatory contexts
FAQ
Is KPV FDA-approved?
No. KPV is not approved by the FDA for any use and is sold research-use-only. All published evidence is preclinical (cell-culture and rodent studies).
Is there human evidence that KPV works?
No. There are no published human clinical trials of KPV by any route. The anti-inflammatory and colitis findings come from in-vitro and mouse studies, and translation to people is unestablished.
Is KPV banned in sport?
It is not specifically named as a prohibited substance, but anti-doping lists can change and research-grade material of unverified purity carries independent risk.
How does KPV work?
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH (Lys-Pro-Val). In preclinical work it is taken into intestinal epithelial and immune cells via the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter, where it inhibits NF-kB and MAP-kinase signaling and lowers pro-inflammatory cytokine output. Notably the effect appears largely melanocortin-receptor-independent, persisting in MC1-receptor-deficient mice.
What routes is KPV used by?
In anecdotal protocols it is given subcutaneously, orally, or topically; the oral route is mechanistically relevant because of PepT1 uptake in the gut. None of these routes has human trial data on bioavailability or benefit, so dose and route in people are unknown.
How does KPV compare with BPC-157?
Both are small research peptides discussed for gut and anti-inflammatory contexts, and they are sometimes paired. They are mechanistically different, though: KPV is an alpha-MSH fragment acting on NF-kB/MAPK inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 is a cytoprotective, pro-angiogenic pentadecapeptide. Neither has human efficacy trials.
Related guides
ArticleGLOW vs KLOW: Which Peptide Blend Is Better? The KPV DifferenceSimilar compounds
Starting references for the library summary. These are not dosing instructions or medical advice.
For research-use educational context only. Not medical advice and not a recommendation to use any compound. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before any health decision.