KPV
Wellness
In plain English
KPV is a tiny three-amino-acid piece of the natural anti-inflammatory hormone alpha-MSH. It is studied mainly for calming inflammation in the gut and skin. The supporting evidence is from laboratory and animal studies; human clinical data are very limited. It is not FDA-approved, and in 2023 the FDA restricted certain peptides like it in compounding.
The science
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. In a key mechanistic study (Dalmasso et al., Gastroenterology 2008), KPV entered intestinal epithelial and immune cells via the PepT1 transporter and, at nanomolar concentrations, inhibited NF-κB and MAP-kinase signaling, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, and lessened colitis in two mouse models. Its anti-inflammatory effect appears PepT1-dependent rather than melanocortin-receptor-dependent, which also supports oral delivery. Human clinical evidence is limited; it is not FDA-approved. It is often compounded with BPC-157 and thymosin beta-4.