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KPV
Compound Profile

KPV

Tripeptide fragment studied for anti-inflammatory and gut-barrier effects

Also known as: Lys-Pro-Val · α-MSH fragment

Reviewed by the CompoundGuide Editorial Team Last updated: Our methodology

Photo by Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

Chemistry data
Class
tripeptide
Molecular weight
356.5 g/mol
Sequence
Lys-Pro-Val
Half-life
estimated short (minutes; limited pharmacokinetic data)
Routes
subcutaneous · oral · topical
Studied doses
subcutaneous 200–500 mcg/day
View KPV options
Where to sourceResearch use only

Limitless Life Nootropics — KPV

Use couponCompound15
at checkout
View KPV options

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Research compounds are for laboratory use only.

nflammation is the fire behind chronic complaints — and KPV takes aim at it with three amino acids. This fragment of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone is being studied for two things readers ask about most: calming inflammatory cytokine signaling, and strengthening the intestinal lining that keeps gut contents out of the blood.

Where to sourceResearch use only

Limitless Life Nootropics — KPV

Use couponCompound15
at checkout
View KPV options

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Research compounds are for laboratory use only.

Regulatory Status

United States
Research use only
European Union
Research use only
United Kingdom
Research use only

What is this compound?

KPV — Lys-Pro-Val — is a synthetic piece of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, specifically the α-MSH 11-13 stretch. Three amino acids, molecular weight 356.5, yet a biological résumé that outgrows its size. The parent hormone coordinates pigmentation and immune responses; researchers isolated this fragment to test whether the anti-inflammatory talent survives alone.

How it works

Research indicates KPV may work by modulating inflammatory cytokine production, suppressing TNF-α and IL-6 — two loud alarm signals in the inflammatory cascade PMID: 18495773 . Quieting those messengers matters beyond symptoms, because chronic low-grade inflammation drives tissue damage over time. Studies also point to a second, complementary action: promoting intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, the single-cell wall separating gut contents from the bloodstream PMID: 18495773 .

  • Modulation of inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6 suppression)
  • Promotion of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity

Research Findings

Preclinical findings point to two headline applications: anti-inflammatory activity observed across research models PMID: 18495773 , and gut support — in animal models of injury, KPV appeared to help compromised intestinal barriers recover. Both threads converge on one question: whether a three-amino-acid fragment could eventually matter where inflammation and gut dysfunction overlap.

Dosage Context Explained

In animal models of colitis and dermatitis, researchers used subcutaneous administration of 200–500 mcg/day PMID: 18495773 . Those figures describe what produced measurable effects in rodents under controlled conditions — a foundation for future study, not human guidelines, which remain undefined. How KPV behaves in people is the natural next question.

  • Administration Routes
    subcutaneous
    Range
    200–500 mcg/day

    animal colitis and dermatitis models

Reconstitution Calculator

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Side Effects: Research Context

Available reports suggest a relatively benign profile: rare skin darkening — an echo of the parent hormone's pigment role — and transient nausea, both anecdotal. With no systematic surveillance in place, those sparse accounts are the whole visible picture. Formal characterization remains future work.

  • skin darkening (melanogenic effect; rare)
  • transient nausea (anecdotal)

Where to source

Research use only
SupplierCommissionUse coupon
Limitless Life Nootropics15%
Compound1515% off
Source research-grade KPV
Ascension Peptides20% + 10% lifetime
COMPOUNDGU10% off
Source research-grade KPV

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Research compounds are for laboratory use only.

Where to sourceResearch use only

Limitless Life Nootropics — KPV

Use couponCompound15
at checkout
View KPV options

Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Research compounds are for laboratory use only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

KPV is a synthetic tripeptide derived from alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone — specifically the α-MSH 11-13 fragment. Researchers study it mainly for potential anti-inflammatory activity and support for intestinal barrier integrity in research models.

Research suggests KPV may suppress inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 while also promoting intestinal barrier integrity — calmer immune signaling paired with a sturdier gut lining.

Preclinical studies indicate potential anti-inflammatory effects and support for gut healing in animal models. Human clinical validation hasn't happened yet — that's the key gap between lab data and real-world conclusions.

Reports are rare and anecdotal: occasional skin darkening (a nod to the parent hormone's pigment role) and transient nausea. Systematic safety research in broader populations is still lacking.

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