KPV

From Retapedia, the free peptide encyclopedia
Medical disclaimer. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before considering any compound discussed below. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

Summary

What it does
KPV is used to calm inflammation, mainly in the gut and skin, and to support wound healing.
How it works
A short peptide of three amino acids, cut from a natural hormone that also controls skin color, but without its tanning effect. It is taken by injection under the skin or by mouth. In lab studies it enters cells and lowers the chemical signals that drive inflammation.
WADA status
Prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Drug-tested athletes cannot use it.

KPV (also known as Lys-Pro-Val or α-MSH 11-13) is a peptide studied for its effects on inflammation, gut health, and healing. Anti-inflammatory tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) from α-MSH, studied for gut and skin inflammation. Not approved; evidence comes from cell and animal studies.

KPV is a tripeptide with the sequence lysine-proline-valine (Lys-Pro-Val), the last three amino acids of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH, positions 11-13). It keeps much of the anti-inflammatory activity of the parent hormone but lacks the core sequence that drives α-MSH's pigment effects, so it is not a tanning peptide. In cell and animal studies, KPV is taken up into cells, including gut-lining cells through the PepT1 peptide transporter, where it dampens NF-κB inflammatory signaling and lowers pro-inflammatory cytokine release.

Natty status
KPV is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places the athlete in the enhanced category. See § Natty status.
Contents [hide]
  1. 1 Overview
  2. 2 Mechanism of action
  3. 3 Reported effects
  4. 4 Dosage and administration
  5. 5 Natty status
  6. 6 Research
  7. 7 Related compounds
  8. 8 Frequently asked questions
  9. 9 References
  10. 10 External links

Overview

Research interest centers on inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory skin conditions, and wound healing, with most work in rodent colitis models using oral or nanoparticle-delivered KPV.

No clinical trials of KPV are registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and it is not approved as a drug by any regulatory authority; it is sold as a research peptide, alone and in multi-peptide blends such as KLOW.

Because it is not approved for human therapeutic use, KPV is prohibited by WADA at all times as a non-approved substance under the S0 catch-all, the same basis that captures BPC-157.

Mechanism of action

Anti-inflammatory tripeptide from alpha-MSH. Dampens NF-κB inflammatory signaling and lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines in cell and animal studies. Researched for gut and skin inflammation and wound healing.

Reported effects

Effects reported in the literature and from preclinical models include:

  • The Lys-Pro-Val tripeptide reduced fever in rabbits made febrile with leukocytic pyrogen, after both central and peripheral administration, though with lower potency than full-length alpha-MSH. [1] Preclinical
  • Topical KPV eye drops given four times daily for four days left a significantly smaller corneal epithelial defect than vehicle in rabbits with mechanically abraded corneas, and all KPV-treated corneas were fully re-epithelized at 60 hours while none of the placebo-treated corneas were. [2] Preclinical
  • Pre-treatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME inhibited the corneal wound-healing effect of KPV in rabbits, which points to a mechanism that may involve nitric oxide. [2] Preclinical
  • KPV at 1 and 10 micromolar increased the viability of cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells. [2] Preclinical
  • Intraperitoneal injection of the acetylated, amidated KPV tripeptide reduced picryl chloride-induced ear swelling in mice. [3] Preclinical
  • In mouse ear-swelling tests, replacing proline with its D-form abolished the tripeptide's anti-inflammatory activity, while a D-valine substitution increased it about four-fold. [3] Preclinical

Evidence grades: FDA approvedApproved (non-US)Phase IIIPhase IIPhase IPreclinicalAnecdotal

Dosage and administration

⚠
Dosage information is included for encyclopedic purposes only. Retapedia does not provide medical advice. See Retapedia : Medical disclaimer.

General

  • No human dose has been established; no clinical trials are registered

Oral and nanoparticle

  • delivered dosing has been studied only in animal colitis models

Injectable research

  • community use is experimental and not clinically established

Natty status

See also: Peptide § Natty status

KPV is classified as not natty. It appears on the WADA prohibited list and is banned by major natural bodybuilding federations.[4] Use of this compound places the athlete in the enhanced category rather than the natural category in competitive contexts.

Research

No registered human trials on ClinicalTrials.gov, in any status
View on ClinicalTrials.gov · fetched Oct 24, 2026

The peptide has been the subject of 6 studies and reference works collected on this site. Additional bibliography is in § External links below.

Other peptides in this catalogue with overlapping mechanisms or status:

BPC-157 Not natty
Speeds healing of tendons, ligaments, muscles, and gut lining. Promotes new blood vessel growth and reduces inflammation. Evidence is almost entirely from animal studies.
Copper peptide GHK-Cu Not natty
Copper-binding tripeptide that supports skin regeneration, collagen synthesis, wound healing, and hair growth, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Used topically in cosmetics; deeper effects remain investigational.
TB-500 Not natty
Speeds wound healing, muscle and tendon recovery. Reduces inflammation, improves joint mobility, minimizes scar tissue formation.
Glutathione Natty
The body's master intracellular antioxidant. Scavenges free radicals and supports liver phase-II detoxification. Regenerates vitamins C and E. Used for liver health, skin brightening, and anti-aging.

Frequently asked questions

What is KPV?

Anti-inflammatory tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) from α-MSH, studied for gut and skin inflammation. Not approved; evidence comes from cell and animal studies.

What is KPV used for?

KPV is used to calm inflammation, mainly in the gut and skin, and to support wound healing.

How does KPV work?

A short peptide of three amino acids, cut from a natural hormone that also controls skin color, but without its tanning effect. It is taken by injection under the skin or by mouth. In lab studies it enters cells and lowers the chemical signals that drive inflammation.

Is KPV natty?

No. KPV is classified as not natty. It is prohibited by WADA and banned by most natural bodybuilding federations. Use places an athlete in the enhanced category.

Is KPV banned by WADA?

Yes. KPV is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), so drug-tested athletes cannot use it. Check the current WADA Prohibited List before competing.

How is KPV administered?

KPV is typically administered via: subcutaneous injection, oral. Dosage and administration protocols vary; see the Dosage section for details.

References

  1. ^ Effect of alpha-MSH 11-13 (lysine-proline-valine) on fever in the rabbit. Unfiltered
  2. a b c Effects of the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11-13) on corneal epithelial wound healing: role of nitric oxide. Unfiltered
  3. a b Anti-inflammatory activity of alpha-MSH(11-13) analogs: influences of alteration in stereochemistry. Unfiltered
  4. a b World Anti-Doping Agency. (2026). Prohibited List 2026.

External links

Categories: Peptides | Performance-enhancing substances | Anti-inflammatory | Gut health | Healing | Skin and hair

This page was last updated on October 24, 2026, at 02:58 (UTC).

Research last reviewed on October 24, 2026.

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