KPV

Published work is predominantly rodent in-vivo and cultured-cell in-vitro. A 2008 study administered KPV in two chemically induced murine colitis models and recorded body weight, histological infiltrate and cytokine expression. A second 2008 study examined uptake via the di/tripeptide transporter PepT1 in human intestinal epithelial cell lines and in murine colitis models. A 2003 study compared core alpha-MSH peptides against the C-terminal KPV tripeptide in murine inflammation assays and tested whether melanocortin receptors MC2, MC3 and MC4 were involved. Further rodent corneal and skin wound-model work is cited in the FDA evaluation.

What is not established

There is no human data. An FDA search of the published literature and of FAERS through December 2025 identified no clinical study, no human pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic data, and no human exposure data by any route. ClinicalTrials.gov holds no registered study for the term. No pharmacokinetic or toxicokinetic study exists in any species.

What distinguishes KPV

KPV is an endogenous human sequence rather than a synthetic construct: it is the naturally occurring C-terminal 11-13 fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Unusually, the mechanistic literature indicates it does not act through its parent's receptors. In vitro it failed to displace radiolabelled alpha-MSH from rat brain tissue, murine melanoma cells or MC1R-expressing macrophages, and unlike alpha-MSH it did not raise cyclic AMP in those macrophages. This matters when reading the literature: in the 503A nomination package, eight of the nine supporting references concerned alpha-MSH or other melanocortin derivatives rather than KPV itself.

Sources

1. US FDA. Briefing document, Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee: evaluation of KPV-related bulk drug substances, 12 May 2026
2. Dalmasso G et al. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology. 2008;134(1):166-78
3. Kannengiesser K et al. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008;14(3):324-31
4. Getting SJ et al. Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-MSH peptides. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003;306(2):631-7
5. World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List, section S0

This page describes a compound as a material and summarises published research about it. It is for general and procurement information only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment recommendation, and not guidance on use. Supplied for laboratory and research use, not for human consumption.