KPV: clinical evidence record
Also known as: Lysine-Proline-Valine tripeptide, alpha-MSH (11-13)
Oliver Mackman · Editorial director · Best Business Loans Ltd (16833937)
Last updated 2026-05-22
Editorial with affiliate links. We earn from purchases via outbound retailer / clinic links. How we are funded.
AI-friendly summary · KPV
Smaller literature base than BPC-157 or TB-500. Anti-inflammatory effects reported in rodent ulcerative colitis and inflammatory bowel disease models. No phase II or III human RCTs published.
Mechanism of action
How KPV works
C-terminal tripeptide (Lysine-Proline-Valine) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Retains anti-inflammatory activity of the parent alpha-MSH molecule in preclinical models, without the MC1R-mediated pigmentation effects.
Top peer-reviewed citations
Selection of the most-cited peer-reviewed literature on KPV. Where a verified PMID or DOI is shown, the citation links to the original record. Other citations list the title, authors, journal and year so the reader can locate the paper through the journal index or the PubMed search linked below. PeptideClear publishes editorial commentary, not clinical guidance.
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Alpha-MSH and its tripeptide derivative KPV in inflammation
Brzoska T, Luger TA, Maaser C, et al.. Endocrine Reviews, 2008.
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KPV tripeptide in murine colitis
Kannengiesser K, Maaser C, Heidemann J, et al.. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2008.
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Anti-inflammatory effects of alpha-MSH C-terminal tripeptide
Hiltz ME, Lipton JM. FASEB Journal, 1989.
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Oral KPV in dextran sulfate sodium colitis
Dalmasso G, Charrier-Hisamuddin L, Nguyen HT, et al.. Gastroenterology, 2008.
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Lysine-proline-valine peptide attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation through ROS-dependent regulation of the PPARγ pathway in HepG2 cells
Lee JY, Lee J, Jung WK, et al.. Cytotechnology, 2026.
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Correlation of Lung Texture Analysis by Computer-Aided Lung Informatics for Pathology Evaluation and Rating (CALIPER) With High-Resolution Computed Tomography and Lung Function in Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases
S P, Kallarakal JS, Panikar V, et al.. Cureus, 2026.
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Impact of cationic, anionic, and amphiphilic emulsifiers on the physicochemical properties and applications of xanthan gum-shea butter bigels
Jujjuri L, Elumalai S, K P V, et al.. International journal of biological macromolecules, 2026.
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A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review
Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP. The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness, 2026.
Full PubMed search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=KPV+alpha-MSH+tripeptide.
UK regulatory status
Plain-English summary of where KPV sits under the four UK and international frameworks that govern peptide supply. Editorial commentary, not legal advice.
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971: Not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
- Psychoactive Substances Act 2016: Not scheduled under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016.
- MHRA medicines classification: No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine.
- WADA Prohibited List: Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List.
Risks and unknowns
What the literature does not yet show about KPV
Known concerns
- Most published efficacy claims for KPV require careful interpretation. Read the cited papers in full before drawing conclusions.
- Purity of UK research-peptide supply varies between retailers. Certificates of analysis and HPLC documentation differ.
- Cold-chain handling between manufacture and delivery is not standardised across the research-peptide market.
- Independent replication of single-group findings is the key check on any preclinical claim.
Open questions in the literature
- Where human pharmacokinetics have not been formally characterised, dose translation from animal models is not reliable.
- Long-term safety profile beyond the duration of published studies remains an open question.
- Interactions with other prescribed or unlicensed substances are typically not studied.
Regulatory note
No UK marketing authorisation as a medicine. Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List. The moment a UK seller or commentator makes a therapeutic claim, MHRA can treat the product as an unlicensed medicinal product.
Important: PeptideClear publishes encyclopedia commentary only and does not recommend human use. Speak to a UK-registered prescriber before any medical decision.
Related reading on PeptideClear
Frequently asked questions
What is the evidence level for KPV?
What is the UK regulatory status of KPV?
Has KPV been tested in human clinical trials?
Where can I read the source literature for KPV?
Last verified 2026-05-22. Editorial commentary, not legal or clinical advice. Citations without a linked identifier can be located through the PubMed search and the journal index.