FDA
No application listedNo application naming KPV as an active ingredient is listed in Drugs@FDA. Checked 2026-10-05; the control lookup (semaglutide) returned 6 applications.
Drugs@FDA via openFDAKPV: chemistry, literature and regulatory status
Research-use information. This page summarises published literature and regulator records. It is not guidance for use, not medical advice, and not a statement that any material is suitable for use in people or animals.
What is KPV?
KPV is the tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val, the C-terminal fragment (residues 11 to 13) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Mouse and cell-culture studies examine it in inflammation models and report that its uptake involves the PepT1 peptide transporter. It is supplied here as a research material for laboratory use only.
What are the chemical facts for KPV?
- Name
- KPV
- Also written
- α-MSH (11-13)
- Sequence
- Lys-Pro-Val
- Length
- 3 residues
- Molecular formula
C16H30N4O4(matches the formula computed from the sequence)- Average molecular weight
- 342.43 g/mol
- CAS number
67727-97-3(confirmed in PubChem)- PubChem
- CID 125672
Chemistry checked against PubChem on 2026-10-05. Where the formula can be computed from the listed sequence, it was, and the two routes agree.
How does the literature describe the mechanism of KPV?
- In a mouse model of crystal-induced peritonitis KPV was compared with alpha-MSH, a core melanocortin peptide and a melanocortin receptor 3 and 4 agonist.[5]
- In murine models of inflammatory bowel disease KPV was tested for its effect on inflammatory readouts.[1]
- One study examined whether KPV activity depends on the PepT1 di- and tripeptide transporter in intestinal epithelial and immune cells and in mouse colitis.[2]
- In cultured cells an immobilised alpha-MSH 10 to 13 peptide was examined for its effect on TNF-alpha stimulated NF-kB activation and for the receptor and cyclic AMP dependence of that signalling.[3]
Receptor and pathway background: Melanocortin receptors.
What has published research on KPV looked at?
5 studies are cited for KPV. Each is labelled by design below, and each entry says what the paper measured.
- 2 animal study
- 1 in vitro and animal study
- 1 in vitro
- 1 review
PubMed returns 39 records for the search terms published on the method page (7 of them with a review publication type, 0 with a clinical-trial publication type), checked 5 October 2026. ClinicalTrials.gov lists 0 registered studies whose intervention matches the name (0 interventional), checked 5 October 2026.
Studies are listed by what they measured. Papers whose titles state an amount or schedule, or describe a clinical outcome of an approved medicine, are not listed. This is a wording rule, not a quality filter; see the method page.
What is the regulatory status of KPV?
EMA
No centrally authorised medicine listedNo centrally authorised procedure in the EMA medicines database (checked 5 October 2026) names KPV as an active substance. National authorisations are not in this dataset.
EMA medicines dataMHRA
No product document foundNo SmPC, PIL or PAR document in MHRA Products matches the exact name "Lys-Pro-Val". Checked 2026-10-05; the control lookup (semaglutide) returned 271 documents.
MHRA ProductsWADA
Not namedThe WADA 2026 Prohibited List, in force 1 January 2026 does not name this substance. The list names substances by example, so this is not a statement that it is permitted in sport.
WADA Prohibited List 2026A regulator record is information about a database entry. It is not advice and not a statement that any use is lawful or unlawful in any country. How regulators approach research peptides.
Data dates: regulatory records 2026-10-05; WADA list 2026-10-05.
Which studies are cited for KPV?
[1] Kannengiesser K, Maaser C, Heidemann J, Luegering A, Ross M, Brzoska T, et al.. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2008;14:324-31.
Tested KPV in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease.
[2] Dalmasso G, Charrier-Hisamuddin L, Nguyen HT, Yan Y, Sitaraman S, Merlin D. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology. 2008;134:166-78.
Examined whether KPV activity depends on the PepT1 peptide transporter in intestinal epithelial and immune cells and in mouse colitis.
[3] Kelly JM, Moir AJ, Carlson K, Yang Y, MacNeil S, Haycock JW. Immobilized alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone 10-13 (GKPV) inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha stimulated NF-kappaB activity. Peptides. 2006;27:431-7.
Examined intracellular signalling of an immobilised alpha-MSH 10-13 peptide in cultured cells, including TNF-alpha stimulated NF-kB activation.
[4] Luger TA, Scholzen TE, Brzoska T, Böhm M. New insights into the functions of alpha-MSH and related peptides in the immune system. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2003;994:133-40.
Review of alpha-MSH and related peptides in immunity and inflammation, including receptor expression on immune cells.
[5] Getting SJ, Schiöth HB, Perretti M. Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003;306:631-7.
Compared KPV with other melanocortin peptides in a mouse model of crystal-induced peritonitis.
Data dates: citations read from PubMed 2026-10-05.
Where else in the research library is KPV covered?
Who wrote this page and how is it checked?
Peptency editorial team, last reviewed 5 October 2026. Citations are read back from PubMed, chemistry is checked against PubChem, and regulator records are read from each regulator's own database on the dates shown. The method page lists every source, search term and rule. Corrections are welcome through the contact details on the About page.