KPV
Also known as: Lysine-Proline-Valine, Lys-Pro-Val, KPV Peptide, α-MSH(11-13), Alpha-MSH C-terminal tripeptide
Lower numbers = closer to natural. Higher numbers = more enhanced.
Why this rating?
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) of the hormone α-MSH. It is a pure anti-inflammatory / mucosal-healing agent. It downregulates NF-κB signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines but does NOT build muscle, burn fat, alter hormones, or enhance athletic performance. Not currently listed on the WADA Prohibited List. Rated 1 (basically natty) because its anti-inflammatory/healing action only restores tissue toward baseline rather than pushing muscle, fat, or hormones beyond a natural ceiling.
Overview
An anti-inflammatory tripeptide (Lysine-Proline-Valine) derived from the C-terminus of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It carries α-MSH's anti-inflammatory activity without its pigmentary (tanning) or other melanocortin-receptor effects. KPV is the "K" that is added to the GLOW stack to make the KLOW stack, contributing inflammation control and gut/mucosal healing.
Purpose & Use Cases
Systemic Anti-Inflammatory
Downregulates NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines, dampening inflammation without immunosuppressing broadly.
Gut / Mucosal Healing
Taken orally, KPV is absorbed by inflamed gut epithelium via PepT1 and reduces intestinal inflammation, of interest for IBD/IBS-type gut issues.
Skin & Wound Inflammation
Applied topically or injected, it calms inflammatory skin conditions and complements tissue-repair peptides.
KLOW Stack Component
The added ingredient that turns the GLOW stack (GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500) into KLOW, layering inflammation control onto the healing base.
Benefits
- Broad anti-inflammatory action (NF-κB downregulation)
- Gut/mucosal healing, including oral route via PepT1
- Calms inflammatory skin conditions
- No pigmentary/tanning effect (unlike melanotan/α-MSH)
- Generally very well tolerated
- Complements healing peptides in recovery stacks
Good to Know
The anti-inflammatory tail of α-MSH: without the tan
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH. It keeps the anti-inflammatory action (downregulating NF-kB) but does NOT hit melanocortin receptors, so unlike melanotan it produces no tanning or other hormonal effects.
Oral works for gut issues
Taken orally, KPV is absorbed by inflamed gut lining via the PepT1 transporter, which is why it is used for IBD/IBS-type gut inflammation. For systemic or skin inflammation it is injected or applied topically.
The "K" in KLOW
KPV is what turns the GLOW stack (GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500) into KLOW, adding inflammation control on top of the healing base. It is not hormonal, so no PCT is involved.
Dosage Guidelines
| Route | Typical Dose | Frequency | Cycle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subcutaneous injection | 250 – 500 mcg/day | Once daily (subcutaneous); oral capsules used specifically for gut issues; topical for skin | 4 – 8 wk |
| Oral (Capsule) | 500 – 1000 mcg/day | 1-2x daily on an empty stomach, ~30 minutes before food | 4 – 12 wk |
| Topical Cream/Serum | ~0.01-1% cream/serum | 1-2x daily applied directly to the affected skin area | 2 – 8 wk |
Dosing depends on how it's administered. Pick your route in the calculator to score the one you use.
No human clinical trials have established a validated KPV dose. Published research uses in vitro nanomolar concentrations and mouse models (e.g. ~100µM in drinking water), not a human mg/kg figure. The 200-500mcg/day range above is a community/self-experimentation protocol (converged on across peptide-vendor and research-community dosing guides), not a clinically-derived one. Treat it as informational, not medical advice. Route is matched to the goal: subcutaneous or topical for systemic/skin inflammation, oral for gut-targeted use (PepT1 uptake in the intestine). Within the KLOW blend it is dosed proportionally (e.g. ~0.25mg per shot from a typical 80mg 4-peptide vial). Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water.
This is the route specifically used for gut/IBD-type inflammation, not general systemic dosing: KPV is a substrate for the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter, which is upregulated in inflamed intestinal epithelium (Dalmasso et al. 2008, Gastroenterology), giving oral KPV a degree of self-targeting to diseased gut tissue that injection lacks. Standard protocols run 4-8 weeks; some community guides extend to 8-12 weeks for chronic IBD-type use.
~0.01-1% KPV cream/serum (concentration varies by compounder), applied 1-2x/day to affected skin. Concentration-based topical dosing - cannot be scored on a mg/day basis. Reported concentrations vary widely across compounding/vendor guides (roughly 0.01% to 1% depending on source), reflecting that there is no standardized clinical topical formulation for KPV. Used for localized inflammatory skin conditions (eczema, rosacea, post-procedure redness) rather than systemic effect. Community guidance suggests switching to the subcutaneous route once the affected area is larger than a few fingertips.
Plasma half-life is short, on the order of minutes, and it acts locally at the tissue level rather than maintaining a systemic circulating level.
Side Effects
Injection Site Irritation
uncommonMinor redness or irritation at the injection site.
Rotate injection sites.
Sourcing / Purity Risk
uncommonAs an unregulated research peptide, purity and dosing accuracy vary by source.
Use tested product with a certificate of analysis.
General Mitigation Strategies
KPV is reported as very well tolerated with a benign side-effect profile. Rotate injection sites. The main practical risk is product quality. Verify source and purity.
Post Cycle Therapy (PCT)
Not hormonal. Does not affect the HPTA. No PCT required.
How It Works
KPV is the Lys-Pro-Val fragment of α-MSH. It enters cells (including via the PepT1 di/tripeptide transporter in inflamed intestinal epithelium) and inhibits nuclear translocation of NF-κB, downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. It also stabilizes mast cells. Because it acts intracellularly on inflammatory signaling rather than through melanocortin receptors, it is anti-inflammatory without the pigment-darkening effect of full α-MSH analogs like melanotan.
Fundamentals
Reference on the practices relevant to KPV: how they are done and where they go wrong. Not a recommendation to use it.
Common Stacks
- KLOW stack (KPV + GHK-Cu + BPC-157 + TB-500) - Healing + anti-inflammatory
- KPV + BPC-157 - Gut-focused healing protocol
Legal Status
Sold as a research chemical; not FDA-approved for human use (USA).
Legal status varies by country and changes over time. This is a general summary, not legal advice.
WADA Status
KPV is not explicitly named on the WADA Prohibited List. However, as a non-approved research peptide it could fall under S0 (non-approved substances) for tested athletes. Verify current status before competition.