KPV: what it is, what the studies show and where it stands
KPV is a tripeptide (lysine, proline, valine) taken from the end of the hormone alpha-MSH, positions 11 to 13. It has been studied in cells and in mice for anti-inflammatory effects.
At a glance
US Not approved
Canada Not authorized
Group Healing and recovery
Sources 10
Checked 10 Oct 2026What is KPV?
KPV is a tripeptide (lysine, proline, valine) taken from the end of the hormone alpha-MSH, positions 11 to 13. It has been studied in cells and in mice for anti-inflammatory effects. No human study of it was found. [2]
Other names: Lys-Pro-Val, lysine-proline-valine, alpha-MSH(11-13), MSH 11-13.
How it has been given to people: no human use on record.
Looking for doses? KPV dosage chart and vial math
Is KPV approved in the US and Canada?
United States: Not FDA approved. FDA lists KPV among bulk substances that were in compounding category 2 until the nominations were withdrawn, and says it has found no human exposure data for KPV by any route. [7]
Canada: Not authorized in Canada. Health Canada names KPV among unauthorized injectable peptide drugs it has seized (advisory of 9 April 2026). [10]
Both were checked on 10 Oct 2026 against the regulators' own product databases.
Which approved products contain KPV?
No approved medicine containing KPV was found in the US or Canada. Anything sold under this name is not a regulated product, so there is no label to check a dose against.
What human studies of KPV exist?
The 7 findings listed here: 7 from animal or lab work.
KPV added to the drinking water of mice reduced chemically induced colitis. [1]
In two mouse models of colitis, KPV treatment led to earlier recovery, regained body weight and less inflammation in the colon. [2]
In mouse peritonitis, KPV reduced the build-up of white cells. The authors concluded it probably does not work through melanocortin receptors. [3]
KPV packed into hyaluronic acid nanoparticles and given by mouth in a hydrogel reduced colitis in mice. [4]
In a mouse model of colitis-associated cancer, KPV prevented tumour formation in normal mice but not in mice lacking the PepT1 transporter. [5]
In human intestinal and immune cell lines, KPV at nanomolar concentrations reduced activation of inflammatory signalling and the release of inflammatory cytokines. [1]
In a laboratory test on excised human skin, KPV did not pass through at detectable levels by passive diffusion. Microneedles or an electric current (iontophoresis) were needed. [6]
What are the side effects of KPV?
Reported in human studies or on a label:
- No human safety data. FDA says it lacks the information to know whether KPV would cause harm in humans. [7]
How does KPV compare with others in its group?
These are the peptides filed under healing and recovery. The last column says whether a randomized human trial is on record for each.
| Peptide | US | Canada | Half-life | Randomized human trial |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC-157 | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
| TB-500 | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | Yes |
| KPV | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
| ARA-290 | Not approved | Not authorized | About 20 minutes after injection under the skin and about 2 minutes after intravenous injection, as given in a 2016 review written by the trial group (full text). | Yes |
| MGF | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
| Cartalax | Not approved | Not authorized | Not found | No |
What could not be found
These were searched for and did not turn up. They are listed so a missing number is not mistaken for a hidden one.
- Any human study of KPV by any route (injection, by mouth, on the skin). PubMed: 22 records with KPV, Lys-Pro-Val or lysine-proline-valine in the title, none a human study; a search limited to clinical trials, volunteers and phase 1 or 2 returned nothing.
- Any registered trial: a ClinicalTrials.gov search for KPV, Lys-Pro-Val and lysine-proline-valine returned no studies.
- Any human dose, half-life or side-effect data.
- An approved product or label in the US or Canada.
- KPV is not named on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List [9]. Section S0 of that list prohibits any pharmacological substance with no current approval by a governmental health authority; the list does not say whether that covers KPV.
KPV questions
Is KPV approved in the US?
Not FDA approved. FDA lists KPV among bulk substances that were in compounding category 2 until the nominations were withdrawn, and says it has found no human exposure data for KPV by any route.
Is KPV authorized in Canada?
Not authorized in Canada. Health Canada names KPV among unauthorized injectable peptide drugs it has seized (advisory of 9 April 2026).
Has KPV been tested in a randomized human trial?
No randomized human trial was found. What exists is listed under the studies heading on this page.
Sources
Each one was opened on 10 Oct 2026 and matched to the line it supports.
- Dalmasso G et al. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology 2008. PubMed 18061177.
- Kannengiesser K et al. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008. PubMed 18092346.
- Getting SJ et al. Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2003. PubMed 12750433.
- Xiao B et al. Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis. Mol Ther 2017. PubMed 28143741.
- Viennois E et al. Critical role of PepT1 in promoting colitis-associated cancer and therapeutic benefits of the anti-inflammatory PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV in a murine model. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2016. PubMed 27458604.
- Pawar K et al. Transdermal Iontophoretic Delivery of Lysine-Proline-Valine (KPV) Peptide Across Microporated Human Skin. J Pharm Sci 2017. PubMed 28343991.
- Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks US Food and Drug Administration 2026. fda.gov.
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act US Food and Drug Administration 2026. fda.gov.
- World Anti-Doping Code International Standard Prohibited List 2026 World Anti-Doping Agency 2026. wada-ama.org.
- Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm you Health Canada 2026. recalls-rappels.canada.ca.
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KPV dosage10 mg vialHealing and recoveryStatus in Canada
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