KPV
Also known as: Lys-Pro-Val, Tripeptide KPV, α-MSH C-terminal fragment
KPV is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory tripeptide derived from the C-terminal of alpha-MSH. It powerfully suppresses intestinal and systemic inflammation via melanocortin receptors, making it valuable for IBD, gut healing, and wound repair.
Half-Life
Short half-life (~15–30 minutes), but effects persist longer due to receptor-level anti-inflammatory cascades
Route
Oral, SubQ, Topical
Category
Immune Support, Recovery & Repair
Studies
50 references
Key Benefits
- Reduces intestinal inflammation (IBD, Crohn's, colitis)
- Promotes gut mucosal healing and barrier integrity
- Accelerates wound healing topically
- Suppresses systemic inflammatory cytokines
- Antimicrobial properties against pathogens
- Reduces neuroinflammation when administered systemically
- May improve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions
Mechanism of Action
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of α-MSH (alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone). It acts as a melanocortin receptor agonist, primarily MC1R and MC3R, to inhibit NF-κB signaling and downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α). Unlike full-length α-MSH, KPV is small enough to enter cells directly and penetrate the gut epithelium, allowing local and systemic anti-inflammatory effects without systemic side effects.
Dosing Protocols
IBD / Gut Inflammation
- Dose
- 500 mcg – 1 mg
- Frequency
- Once to twice daily
- Timing
- On empty stomach (oral) or subcutaneous
- Cycle
- 4–12 weeks
Oral route targets gut directly; SC for systemic inflammation
Wound Healing (Topical)
- Dose
- Applied to affected area
- Frequency
- 1–2x daily
- Timing
- Clean area before application
- Cycle
- Until healed
Use 0.1–0.5% solution in a carrier cream
Calculate your draw volume
Enter your vial size and BAC water to get exact injection volumes
Side Effects
- Generally very well tolerated
- Mild injection site reactions (SC)
- Rare: transient flushing
Contraindications
No major contraindications identified. Caution in autoimmune conditions where inflammation suppression may be undesirable.
Storage
Store lyophilized powder at -20°C, reconstituted peptide at 4°C. Use within 30 days of reconstitution. Protect from light.
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Clinical Research
- 1.Inflammation-triggered self-immolative conjugates enable oral peptide delivery by overcoming gastrointestinal barriers
Cheng J, Wu P, Li C, Han Y, Sun M, Dou Y et al. · Science advances · 2026PubMed Verified
- 2.Application of AI for the functional elucidation of rice associated microbial community for the improved productivity
Joyce J, K PV, K J, K RE · 3 Biotech · 2026PubMed Verified
- 3.Host defense peptides as a new drug lead to a strategy for inflammatory bowel disease
Rodrigues JM, Ferreira Leal AP, Buccini DF, Franco OL · Drug discovery today · 2025ReviewPubMed Verified
- 4.Exploring the Role of Tripeptides in Wound Healing and Skin Regeneration: A Comprehensive Review
Adnan SB, Maarof M, Fauzi MB, Fadilah NIM · International journal of medical sciences · 2025ReviewPubMed Verified
- 5.Challenges in clinical nutrition research in Latin America: A narrative review
Correia MITD, Papapietro K, Fuchs-Tarlovsky V · Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2025ReviewPubMed Verified
- 6.Digital neonatal neurocritical care in Brazil: a retrospective multicentre cohort study of over 11,000 remotely monitored infants
Variane GFT, Leandro DMK, Azevedo SS, Rodrigues RF, Sampaio LB, Girotto PN et al. · Lancet regional health. Americas · 2025PubMed Verified
- 7.NLRP3 autophagic degradation disruption in melanocytes contributes to vitiligo development
Zeng K, Zhu Y, Han Z, Xiong S, Zhao Y, Xiao Z et al. · Cell death and differentiation · 2026PubMed Verified
- 8.Enhanced magnetic properties through tailoring of morphology of electrospun strontium hexaferrite nanofibers
Vats N, Phadkule SS, Sarma S, Negi DS, Vishal B, Vadera SR et al. · Scientific reports · 2025PubMed Verified
- 9.Clinical efficacy and safety of two highly purified human menopausal gonadotropins in women undergoing in vitro fertilization
Rao KA, Khanna G, Bavishi H, Reddy NS, Mangukiya K, Jain R et al. · Reproduction & fertility · 2025RCTPubMed Verified
- 10.Lysine-Proline-Valine peptide mitigates fine dust-induced keratinocyte apoptosis and inflammation by regulating oxidative stress and modulating the MAPK/NF-κB pathway
Sung J, Ju SY, Park S, Jung WK, Je JY, Lee SJ · Tissue & cell · 2025PubMed Verified
- 11.Multicompartmental Hydrogel Microspheres with a Concentric Thin Oil Layer: Protecting and Targeting Therapeutic Agents for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Jeong HS, Choi Y, Kim DW, Je JY, Lee SJ, Choi CH · ACS applied bio materials · 2025PubMed Verified
- 12.Accurate Intramyocardial Hemorrhage Assessment with Fast, Free-running, Cardiac Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping
Huang Y, Guan X, Zhang X, Yoosefian G, Ho H, Huang LT et al. · Radiology. Cardiothoracic imaging · 2024PubMed Verified
- 13.The Efficacy and Safety of Probiotic Combinations Lobun Forte® Versus Renadyl® in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comparative, Phase IV, Randomized, Open-Label, Active-Controlled, Parallel Study
Kalidindi RK, Reddy CP, Pv K, Kompella P · Cureus · 2024PubMed Verified
- 14.KPV and RAPA Self-Assembled into Carrier-Free Nanodrugs for Vascular Calcification Therapy
Zhang L, Li D, Aierken Y, Zhang J, Liu Z, Lin Z et al. · Advanced healthcare materials · 2024PubMed Verified
- 15.Amivantamab efficacy in wild-type EGFR NSCLC tumors correlates with levels of ligand expression
Rivera-Soto R, Henley B, Pulgar MA, Lehman SL, Gupta H, Perez-Vale KZ et al. · NPJ precision oncology · 2024PubMed Verified
- 16.PepT1-targeted nanodrug based on co-assembly of anti-inflammatory peptide and immunosuppressant for combined treatment of acute and chronic DSS-induced ColitiS
Zhang D, Jiang L, Yu F, Yan P, Liu Y, Wu Y et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2024PubMed Verified
- 17.Learnings from the first AI-enabled skin cancer device for primary care authorized by FDA
Venkatesh KP, Kadakia KT, Gilbert S · NPJ digital medicine · 2024PubMed Verified
- 18.Internet Gaming Disorder and the Incidence of Suicide-related Ideation and Behaviors in College Students
Orozco R, Borges G, Caldas-de-Almeida JM, Gutiérrez-García RA, Albor Y, Jiménez Pérez AL et al. · Journal of addiction medicine · 2024PubMed Verified
- 19.Growth Factors-Loaded Temperature-Sensitive Hydrogel as Biomimetic Mucus Attenuated Murine Ulcerative Colitis via Repairing the Mucosal Barriers
Li D, Shangguan J, Yu F, Lin G, Pan H, Zhang M et al. · ACS applied materials & interfaces · 2024PubMed Verified
- 20.Non-contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance urography for measuring split kidney function in pediatric patients with hydronephrosis: comparison with renal scintigraphy
He K, Wan D, Li S, Yuan G, Gao M, Han Y et al. · Pediatric nephrology (Berlin, Germany) · 2024PubMed Verified
- 21.A nanoparticle platform for combined mucosal healing and immunomodulation in inflammatory bowel disease treatment
Marotti V, Xu Y, Bohns Michalowski C, Zhang W, Domingues I, Ameraoui H et al. · Bioactive materials · 2024PubMed Verified
- 22.Association of EEG Background and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Neonates With Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy Receiving Hypothermia
Glass HC, Numis AL, Comstock BA, Gonzalez FF, Mietzsch U, Bonifacio SL et al. · Neurology · 2023PubMed Verified
- 23.Prognostic role of renal replacement therapy among hospitalized patients with heart failure in the Brazilian national public health system
Coy-Canguçu A, Antunes-Correa LM, Mazzali M, Abrão P, Ronco F, Teixeira CM et al. · Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2023PubMed Verified
- 24.The Melanocortin System in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Insights into Its Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potentials
Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Durante T, Palladino G, Imperio G, D'Amico G et al. · Cells · 2023ReviewPubMed Verified
- 25.Digital health technology in clinical trials
Mittermaier M, Venkatesh KP, Kvedar JC · NPJ digital medicine · 2023PubMed Verified
- 26.Vimentin is required for tumor progression and metastasis in a mouse model of non-small cell lung cancer
Berr AL, Wiese K, Dos Santos G, Koch CM, Anekalla KR, Kidd M et al. · Oncogene · 2023PubMed Verified
- 27.A Phase 1 Study of Oral Vitamin D(3) in Boys and Young Men With X-Linked Adrenoleukodystrophy
Van Haren KP, Cunanan K, Awani A, Gu M, Peña D, Chromik LC et al. · Neurology. Genetics · 2023PubMed Verified
- 28.Skin-adaptive film dressing with smart-release of growth factors accelerated diabetic wound healing
Zhao Y, Huang L, Lin G, Tong M, Xie Y, Pan H et al. · International journal of biological macromolecules · 2022PubMed Verified
- 29.International Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Adrenoleukodystrophy: A Consensus-Based Approach
Engelen M, van Ballegoij WJC, Mallack EJ, Van Haren KP, Köhler W, Salsano E et al. · Neurology · 2022PubMed Verified
- 30.Trial of Erythropoietin for Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy in Newborns
Wu YW, Comstock BA, Gonzalez FF, Mayock DE, Goodman AM, Maitre NL et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2022RCTPubMed Verified
- 31.Presymptomatic Lesion in Childhood Cerebral Adrenoleukodystrophy: Timing and Treatment
Mallack EJ, Van Haren KP, Torrey A, van de Stadt S, Engelen M, Raymond GV et al. · Neurology · 2022PubMed Verified
- 32.Nocturnal Hypoventilation as a Respiratory Complication of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Aziz-Bose R, Bhargava S, Buu M, Bove R, van Haren K · The Journal of pediatrics · 2022Case ReportPubMed Verified
- 33.Interobserver Variability in CT-based Morphologic Tumor Response Assessment of Colorectal Liver Metastases
Wesdorp NJ, Kemna R, Bolhuis K, van Waesberghe JHTM, Nota IMGC, Struik F et al. · Radiology. Imaging cancer · 2022RCTPubMed Verified
- 34.Gadoxetic Acid Uptake Rate as a Measure of Global and Regional Liver Function as Compared With Indocyanine Green Retention, Albumin-Bilirubin Score, and Portal Venous Perfusion
Simeth J, Aryal M, Owen D, Cuneo K, Lawrence TS, Cao Y · Advances in radiation oncology · 2022PubMed Verified
- 35.Why monitor the neonatal brain-that is the important question
Vanhatalo S, Stevenson NJ, Pressler RM, Abend NS, Auvin S, Brigo F et al. · Pediatric research · 2023PubMed Verified
- 36.Hydrocortisone to Improve Survival without Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
Watterberg KL, Walsh MC, Li L, Chawla S, D'Angio CT, Goldberg RN et al. · The New England journal of medicine · 2022RCTPubMed Verified
- 37.A KPV-binding double-network hydrogel restores gut mucosal barrier in an inflamed colon
Zhao Y, Xue P, Lin G, Tong M, Yang J, Zhang Y et al. · Acta biomaterialia · 2022PubMed Verified
- 38.Macular Hemorrhage Due to Age-Related Macular Degeneration or Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysm: Predictive Factors of Surgical Outcome
Pierre M, Mainguy A, Chatziralli I, Pakzad-Vaezi K, Ruiz-Medrano J, Bodaghi B et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · 2021PubMed Verified
- 39.In situ mucoadhesive hydrogel capturing tripeptide KPV: the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and repairing effect on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis
Shao W, Chen R, Lin G, Ran K, Zhang Y, Yang J et al. · Biomaterials science · 2021PubMed Verified
- 40.Biomimetic Melanosomes Promote Orientation-Selective Delivery and Melanocyte Pigmentation in the H(2)O(2)-Induced Vitiligo Mouse Model
Sun MC, Xu XL, Du Y, Lou XF, Wang W, You YC et al. · ACS nano · 2021PubMed Verified
- 41.Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats
Sun J, Xue P, Liu J, Huang L, Lin G, Ran K et al. · ACS biomaterials science & engineering · 2021PubMed Verified
- 42.Metformin Prevents Hyperglycemia-Associated, Oxidative Stress-Induced Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction: Essential Role for the Orphan Nuclear Receptor Human Nuclear Receptor 4A1 (Nur77)
Venu VKP, Saifeddine M, Mihara K, Faiza M, Gorobets E, Flewelling AJ et al. · Molecular pharmacology · 2021PubMed Verified
- 43.Irreversible Electroporation to Treat Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases (COLDFIRE-2): A Phase II, Two-Center, Single-Arm Clinical Trial
Meijerink MR, Ruarus AH, Vroomen LGPH, Puijk RS, Geboers B, Nieuwenhuizen S et al. · Radiology · 2021Clinical TrialPubMed Verified
- 44.Persistent Troponin Elevation in Left-Dominant Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy
Verma KP, Roberts T, Parsons S, Winship IM, Prior D, La Gerche A et al. · Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine · 2020Case ReportPubMed Verified
- 45.Five men with arresting and relapsing cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy
Carlson AM, Huffnagel IC, Verrips A, van der Knaap MS, Engelen M, Van Haren K · Journal of neurology · 2021PubMed Verified
- 46.Electrocardiogram Standards for Children and Young Adults Using Z-Scores
Bratincsák A, Kimata C, Limm-Chan BN, Vincent KP, Williams MR, Perry JC · Circulation. Arrhythmia and electrophysiology · 2020PubMed Verified
- 47.Cardiomyocyte Expression of ZO-1 Is Essential for Normal Atrioventricular Conduction but Does Not Alter Ventricular Function
Zhang J, Vincent KP, Peter AK, Klos M, Cheng H, Huang SM et al. · Circulation research · 2020PubMed Verified
- 48.Subacute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome in Girls With SHANK3 Mutations Responds to Immunomodulation
Bey AL, Gorman MP, Gallentine W, Kohlenberg TM, Frankovich J, Jiang YH et al. · Pediatrics · 2020Case ReportPubMed Verified
- 49.Novel anti-inflammatory and chondroprotective effects of the human melanocortin MC1 receptor agonist BMS-470539 dihydrochloride and human melanocortin MC3 receptor agonist PG-990 on lipopolysaccharide activated chondrocytes
Can VC, Locke IC, Kaneva MK, Kerrigan MJP, Merlino F, De Pascale C et al. · European journal of pharmacology · 2020PubMed Verified
- 50.Percutaneous Irreversible Electroporation in Locally Advanced and Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer (PANFIRE-2): A Multicenter, Prospective, Single-Arm, Phase II Study
Ruarus AH, Vroomen LGPH, Geboers B, van Veldhuisen E, Puijk RS, Nieuwenhuizen S et al. · Radiology · 2020Clinical TrialPubMed Verified
Medical disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Many compounds listed are research chemicals not approved for human use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any protocol.
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