The KPV peptide is made of just three amino acids (lysine, proline and valine) taken from the end of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It keeps that hormone’s anti-inflammatory effects without its skin-darkening effect.[1] Taken by mouth, it reduced colitis in mice.[2] FDA found no clinical studies of KPV in people, and it is not FDA-approved.[5]

This profile covers what KPV is, how it works, what mouse studies show for gut inflammation, oral capsules vs injection, side effects, dosage and its regulatory status.

What is KPV?

Alpha-MSH is a hormone best known for triggering skin pigmentation, but it also calms inflammation. Researchers found that its last three amino acids, KPV (positions 11 to 13), keep much of the anti-inflammatory activity on their own.[1] KPV is sold as capsules and injections, and as part of the KLOW peptide blend.

How KPV works

In gut cells, KPV is carried inside by PepT1, a transporter that normally absorbs small protein fragments from food. Once inside, nanomolar amounts of KPV blocked NF-kB and MAPK, two major inflammation pathways.[2] Some of its effects may also work through the melanocortin receptors that alpha-MSH acts on.[1][3]

KPV benefits: what the research shows

All published evidence comes from mice and cell studies:

  • Colitis: KPV given in drinking water reduced chemically induced colitis in mice.[2]

  • Severe colitis: a German group found KPV sped recovery and reduced inflammation markers; in mice lacking a working melanocortin receptor, it prevented all deaths in the treated group.[3]

  • Targeted delivery: researchers packed KPV into nanoparticles that home to inflamed colon tissue; taken by mouth, they eased ulcerative colitis in mice.[4]

  • Newer lab work (Korea): KPV reduced fat accumulation in fat cells and limited weight gain in mice on a high-fat diet[13], and protected skin cells from damage caused by fine dust pollution[14].

KPV capsules vs injection

Because the gut transporter PepT1 absorbs KPV, the strongest animal evidence is for oral use, which is why capsules are popular.[2] No study has tested injected KPV for gut inflammation, or compared capsules with injections.

For skin, FDA reports that in a lab test on human skin, KPV did not pass through the skin well, which limits creams.[5]

KPV side effects and safety

  • No human data: FDA found no clinical studies and no adverse event reports.[5]
  • No toxicity studies: FDA identified no animal toxicity studies of KPV.[5]
  • Product quality: for injectable peptides like KPV, FDA’s main concerns are immune reactions to impurities or clumped peptide.[9]
  • Unregulated products: a 2026 review warns that research-chemical peptides carry risks of contamination and dosing errors.[12]

KPV dosage: what has been studied

No dose of KPV has been studied in people.[5] In mice, KPV was given in drinking water or as oral nanoparticles, at doses that cannot be directly converted to humans.[2][4] For converting a vial’s milligrams into syringe units, see our peptide calculator.

  • Not FDA-approved. KPV is not part of any approved drug.[5]
  • 2023: FDA listed KPV among substances that may pose significant safety risks in compounding.[9]
  • April 2026: after the nomination was withdrawn, FDA removed KPV from that list, which is not an approval.[9][10]
  • July 2026: FDA’s compounding advisory committee reviewed KPV for wound healing and inflammatory conditions.[7] FDA recommended against it, but the committee reportedly voted 8 to 6 in favor.[6][8] The vote is not binding, and no rule had followed as of our last review.
  • Sport: KPV is not named on WADA’s 2026 Prohibited List.[11]

This is general information, not legal advice.

KPV in the KLOW blend

KPV is the ingredient that turns the GLOW blend into KLOW. Its gut-focused animal evidence differs from the skin and tissue-repair claims made for the other ingredients, BPC-157, TB-500 and GHK-Cu.