KPV peptide

Summary

KPV is the three amino acid tail fragment of alpha-MSH, a natural skin darkening hormone, that keeps the parent hormone's anti-inflammatory activity without its pigmentation effects. In mouse models of colitis (an inflamed colon), oral KPV reduced inflammation, weight loss, and tissue damage seen under the microscope, and in cell studies very low (nanomolar) concentrations block NF-kB signaling, a main switch for inflammation. No human trial exists, so its evidence grade is animal-only. FDA removed it from the 503A Category 2 list (compounding ingredients flagged for significant safety risks) in April 2026 and the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee (FDA's outside expert panel) recommended it for the 503A bulks list (ingredients pharmacies may use to compound drugs for individual patients) in July 2026, but no final rule has been published.

What is KPV?

KPV is a synthetic tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine), the C-terminal fragment of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It is also known as Lys-Pro-Val, alpha-MSH (11-13), alpha-MSH C-terminal tripeptide, lysine-proline-valine, KPV peptide, KPV tripeptide.

How does it work?

KPV is taken into intestinal epithelial and immune cells by the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter, which is induced in the colon during inflammatory bowel disease. Inside cells it inhibits activation of NF-kB and MAP kinase pathways and reduces secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Unlike full length alpha-MSH, KPV does not require the melanocortin-1 receptor for its anti-inflammatory effect (it worked in mice lacking a functional MC1 receptor) and does not stimulate pigmentation. These mechanisms are from cell and mouse studies.

KPV peptide benefits: what the evidence shows

Two independent 2008 mouse studies showed that KPV reduces intestinal inflammation. Oral KPV in drinking water reduced the incidence and severity of DSS and TNBS induced colitis with lower pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and in DSS and T cell transfer colitis KPV led to earlier recovery, regained body weight, reduced inflammatory infiltrates, and lower myeloperoxidase activity. Later mouse work from one of the same groups found that KPV reduced colitis associated tumor formation and that KPV packaged in targeted nanoparticles eased colitis. No indexed human trial of KPV for any indication has been published.

Human evidence

No indexed human trial identified. KPV is sold for inflammatory bowel symptoms, skin inflammation, and general anti-inflammatory use on the strength of mouse data and the known biology of alpha-MSH; no human dose finding, safety, or efficacy study has been published.

Animal evidence

In mice, KPV added to drinking water reduced DSS and TNBS induced colitis, with lower histologic damage and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA; the effect was mediated by PepT1 uptake. In a second laboratory, KPV in DSS colitis produced earlier recovery and significantly stronger regain of body weight, reduced inflammatory infiltrates and myeloperoxidase activity, and also produced recovery in CD45RB(hi) T cell transfer colitis; it rescued all animals in the treatment group of mice lacking a functional MC1 receptor, showing the effect is independent of that receptor. In a mouse model of colitis associated cancer, KPV prevented tumor formation in normal mice but not in mice lacking PepT1, and oral KPV delivered in hyaluronic acid coated nanoparticles reduced mucosal damage and TNF-alpha in mouse ulcerative colitis.

Key studies

Conditions studied

Is KPV legal in the United States?

FDA and compounding status

Removed from the FDA 503A Category 2 list on April 15, 2026. On July 23 to 24, 2026 the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee recommended adding KPV to the 503A bulks list. As of the last verification date FDA has not published a final rule listing it, so it is not on the 503A bulks list and a 503A pharmacy has no federal basis to compound it from bulk; state boards cannot authorize what federal law does not. It is not an FDA approved drug and is not eligible for 503B outsourcing. Products sold as research chemicals or as dietary supplements are not lawful for human drug use.

WADA status

WADA prohibited. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should treat this as prohibited at all times unless the current prohibited list says otherwise.

Regulatory timeline

1. Jul 23, 2026PCAC

   PCAC recommends six peptides for the 503A bulks list

   At its July 23 to 24, 2026 meeting, FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee voted to recommend that BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, semax, and epitalon be added to the 503A bulk drug substances list. A committee recommendation is advisory; FDA must still issue a rule before the substances are formally listed.

   Regulatory: Under FDA reviewSource: Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee
2. Apr 15, 2026FDA

   FDA lists BPC-157 and 16 other peptides as withdrawn from 503A Category 2

   FDA's Category 2 page, revised in April 2026 and current as of April 22, 2026, moved BPC-157, AOD-9604, CJC-1295, dihexa, DSIP, epitalon, injectable GHK-Cu, ipamorelin, KPV, LL-37, melanotan II, MOTS-c, PEG-MGF, selank, semax, thymosin alpha-1, and thymosin beta-4 fragment (TB-500) to a list of bulk drug substances nominated but withdrawn by their nominators. A withdrawn substance is no longer in 503A Category 2, but withdrawal is not an approval and does not place a substance on the 503A bulks list; a 503A pharmacy still needs a listing before it may compound it. Ipamorelin acetate remains in 503B Category 2. Seven of the withdrawn peptides (BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, semax, epitalon, and DSIP) were taken to the Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee in July 2026.

   Regulatory: Removed from Category 2 (Apr 2026)Source: FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks (503A and 503B Category 2 lists and withdrawn nominations, content current as of April 22, 2026)
3. Sep 2023FDA

   FDA places a batch of nominated peptides in 503A Category 2

   In September 2023 FDA updated its 503A bulk drug substances category lists to place a group of nominated peptides in Category 2, which means FDA identified significant safety risks and the substances may not be used in 503A compounding while the evaluation continues. Kisspeptin-10 and ibutamoren (MK-677) were added on September 29, 2023 and remain in Category 2 on the FDA page current as of April 22, 2026. BPC-157, CJC-1295, ipamorelin, AOD-9604, dihexa, DSIP, epitalon, KPV, MOTS-c, selank, semax, melanotan II, LL-37, thymosin alpha-1, and thymosin beta-4 fragment (TB-500) were also placed in Category 2 under the 503A interim policy; that same page now lists them as nominated but withdrawn (see the April 2026 event). Hexarelin, PNC-27, and 5-amino-1MQ have never appeared on the FDA category lists.

   Regulatory: Not eligible for compoundingSource: FDA: Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding may present significant safety risks (503A and 503B Category 2 lists and withdrawn nominations, content current as of April 22, 2026)

Full tracker for KPV or the category-wide tracker.

What published studies of KPV used

Ranges below are reported from published studies and labeling only. PeptideAgent does not recommend doses or protocols.

Not established in human literature. Mouse colitis studies gave KPV orally in drinking water, in nanoparticles, or by injection; animal doses do not translate to a human dose, and no human study has been published.

Routes reported

KPV side effects

Side effects

Interactions

Contraindications

How do people access KPV legally?

Typical cost: No lawful compounded price: KPV is not on the 503A bulks list, and PCAC's July 2026 recommendation is advisory until FDA publishes a final rule. Advertised clinic prices are not a comparable price. Products sold as research chemicals are not lawful for human use and are not verified for identity or purity.

• KPV cost by channel
• Rules by state
• Verified provider directory

Compare KPV

• BPC-157 vs KPV
• KPV vs LL-37

What's actually offered, and what that means for you

Licensed compounding pharmacies, clinics, and telehealth prescribers openly offer many unapproved peptides, and prescribers write prescriptions for them. That does not make KPV lawful. FDA's advisory committee recommended KPV for the 503A bulks list in July 2026, but FDA has not published a final rule, so a pharmacy has no federal basis to compound it yet. [3] [4]

Enforcement is uneven. FDA mostly acts through warning letters to compounders and online sellers, Category 2 safety listings, and import alerts that let it detain shipments, rather than stopping every pharmacy. State pharmacy boards oversee pharmacies day to day, and their rules differ. [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

What changes for you

• No FDA review of the product: FDA does not check a compounded drug's safety, effectiveness, or quality before it is sold. [12]
• Identity, purity, sterility, and dose accuracy can vary from batch to batch. [10]
• Insurance rarely covers it, so you usually pay cash.
• For tested athletes, KPV is prohibited at all times on the WADA list, whatever the source. [5]

What to check

These checks lower some risks, but they do not make an unlawfully compounded product lawful or safe. Check for:

• A 503A pharmacy licensed in your state (your state board of pharmacy publishes license lookups). [12]
• A real evaluation by a licensed prescriber, not just an online form.
• A certificate of analysis for the specific batch.

Blends that contain KPV

KPV is sold in a premixed blend under the name below. No blend has been tested as a combination, and a mix is only as lawful as its least lawful ingredient.

• KLOW: with GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500 (thymosin beta-4). No lawful path.

All peptide blends

Frequently asked questions

Decisions about starting, stopping, or combining any treatment belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.

From the blog

• BPC-157 for gut health: the animal evidence and the missing human trials

  BPC-157 healed ulcers, colitis, fistulas, and short bowel in rats. No human gut trial has published results. What the GI studies found, what is missing, and what has human evidence.

• Klow vs Glow peptide: what KPV adds and what is known

  Klow is the Glow blend (GHK-Cu, BPC-157, TB-500) plus KPV. Each ingredient compared, what KPV is claimed to add, how both relate to the Wolverine stack, and why no study tests either blend.

• PCAC recommended six peptides. What changes and what does not

  FDA's compounding advisory committee backed BPC-157, KPV, TB-500, MOTS-c, semax, and epitalon for the 503A bulks list and rejected DSIP. Here is what the vote does and does not do.

Sources

Numbered citations above point to these primary sources. PubMed entries link to the indexed abstract.