What KPV is, and why almost all its studies are about how to deliver it
In short
KPV is the final tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, with anti-inflammatory potential described in mouse and rat colitis models. Of the papers located, two of three study delivery systems — nanoparticles and a hydrogel — rather than the peptide given as it is.
KPV is a tripeptide — lysine, proline and valine — corresponding to the tail end of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. It is therefore a fragment of the same molecule the melanotans derive from, but without the part acting on pigmentation.
What has been studied
What has been published concentrates on animal models of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Colitis in mice. The founding paper described anti-inflammatory potential of the tripeptide in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease [1].
- Ulcerative colitis in an animal model, with nanoparticles. A 2017 study delivered the peptide orally carried in hyaluronic-acid-functionalised nanoparticles targeted at inflamed tissue [2].
- Colitis in rats, with a hydrogel. A 2021 paper used a cross-linked hydrogel to stabilise the tripeptide before administering it [3].
What that list says, read whole
Two of the three papers are not about the peptide: they are about how to get it there. One puts it in targeted nanoparticles and the other stabilises it in a hydrogel, and both say so in their own titles.
That does not invalidate the results, but it bounds what they mean. What was shown in those models is what the peptide does inside a vehicle designed to protect it and take it to a specific place, not what the bare peptide does. When half a compound's research goes into solving its delivery, it is because delivery is the problem.
What there is not
No trial in people has been located, nor any approved indication. The only analogue of this hormonal family with a European authorisation is afamelanotide, a different molecule [4].
This page describes published literature. It is not medical information, it does not describe a therapeutic use, and it does not replace any healthcare professional.
What to look at when comparing suppliers
- HPLC purity for the specific batch, with a certificate you can read before buying.
- Identity confirmation: three amino acids make a very small molecule, and a wrong short sequence is hard to tell apart without mass.
- Be wary of anyone transferring the nanoparticle study results to this product. What was administered there was not this alone.
References
- [1] Kannengiesser K. et al. (2008). Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. PMID 18092346 View source
- [2] Xiao B. et al. (2017). Orally Targeted Delivery of Tripeptide KPV via Hyaluronic Acid-Functionalized Nanoparticles Efficiently Alleviates Ulcerative Colitis. Mol Ther. PMID 28143741 View source
- [3] Sun J. et al. (2021). Self-Cross-Linked Hydrogel of Cysteamine-Grafted γ-Polyglutamic Acid Stabilized Tripeptide KPV for Alleviating TNBS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats. ACS Biomater Sci Eng. PMID 34547895 View source
- [4] Habbema L. et al. (2017). Risks of unregulated use of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues: a review. Int J Dermatol. PMID 28266027 View source
This page reports what has been published in the scientific literature about a research molecule. It is not medical information, it does not describe a therapeutic use, and it does not replace any healthcare professional. The product is sold strictly for in vitro research.
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