Tripeptide derived from α-MSH (lysine-proline-valine)
akaLys-Pro-ValKPV peptideα-MSH(11–13) fragment
Stack candidate
Class
Anti-inflammatory tripeptide
Half-life
~30 min to 2 hours
Route
Oral
Cadence
Daily
Evidence
Animal data primarily
Overview
KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment (lysine-proline-valine) clipped from the end of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It keeps the parent molecule's anti-inflammatory punch while dropping the melanocortin effects—no pigment changes, no appetite suppression, just inflammation control. Most of the interest right now is in gut inflammation, where it appears to accumulate preferentially in inflamed colonic tissue via a transporter called PepT1 that gets upregulated when your gut is angry.
The effect appears to involve both receptor-dependent and receptor-independent pathways. While KPV retains anti-inflammatory activity in MC1R-knockout mice—confirming some receptor-independent activity—efficacy is reduced in these models, indicating MC1R signaling contributes to the full therapeutic effect. The dominant mechanism is intracellular NF-κB blockade.
The FDA flagged KPV in 2023 as a bulk drug substance with unclear human safety when it placed the peptide in Category 2 of the 503A bulk drug substances list, citing insufficient human safety data.
Safety considerations
A few of the safety signals worth knowing — the full list, with dosing context and what to monitor, is inside AIx Core.
The FDA placed KPV in Category 2 of the 503A bulk drug substances list in September 2023, citing insufficient human safety data and absence of human exposure data.
No completed human trials exist. No Phase 1 dose-escalation, no Phase 2 efficacy signal, no Phase 3 confirmatory data. Human safety profile is unknown.
Preclinical animal data suggest it's well-tolerated at doses up to 1 mg/kg in rodents (oral and injected), with no overt toxicity signals. That doesn't guarantee human safety.
+ 2 more safety notes inside AIx Core →
Commonly monitored
Markers and signals people track when researching KPV.
Stool frequency and consistency (if using for IBD/colitis)
hs-CRP (systemic inflammation marker)
Fecal calprotectin (gut-specific inflammation)
Subjective gut symptoms—pain, bloating, urgency
Frequently asked questions
What is KPV?
Tripeptide derived from α-MSH (lysine-proline-valine). KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment (lysine-proline-valine) clipped from the end of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It keeps the parent molecule's anti-inflammatory punch while dropping the melanocortin effects—no pigment changes, no appetite suppression, just inflammation control. Most of the interest right now is in gut inflammation, where it appears to accumulate preferentially in inflamed colonic tissue via a transporter called PepT1 that gets upregulated when your gut is angry.
How is KPV administered?
Oral, typically daily.
What is the half-life of KPV?
~30 min to 2 hours — Short plasma half-life; accumulates in inflamed tissue via PepT1 transporter.
Is KPV approved for human use?
KPV is investigational — not approved by the FDA, EMA, or MHRA for human use at the time of writing.
What does the evidence show for KPV?
Evidence tier: Animal data primarily. Dalmasso 2008 (Gastroenterology): Oral KPV dosed at ~205 μg/day in drinking water reduced DSS-induced colitis severity in mice by ~50% (inflammation scores, cytokine levels, weight loss). PepT1-knockout mice lost the protective effect entirely, confirming transporter-dependence.
What is commonly monitored when researching KPV?
Commonly tracked markers + signals: Stool frequency and consistency (if using for IBD/colitis), hs-CRP (systemic inflammation marker), Fecal calprotectin (gut-specific inflammation), Subjective gut symptoms—pain, bloating, urgency.
Mechanism breakdown, receptor pathway diagram, full safety list, monitored items, source citations, and one-tap add-to-protocol. Free with any account.
