Healing & recovery
KPV: published research
Also known as Lys-Pro-Val (α-MSH 11–13)
The last three amino acids of α-MSH. This tiny fragment keeps the anti-inflammatory activity of the full hormone without its effect on skin colour. Studies mainly use models of inflamed gut and skin.
Evidence at a glance
4 studies 2003–2010
- 4 Animal study
What researchers look at
- Inflammation
- Gut lining
- Skin inflammation
- NF-κB pathway
What is still unknown
All published data come from animal and cell models; there are no human trials yet.
Animal studies
4- Animal study
In cultured intestinal cells, KPV-loaded nanoparticles reduced LPS-induced inflammatory responses, and in mice with DSS-induced colitis, colon-targeted KPV nanoparticles in a hydrogel reduced inflammatory and histological signs of colitis.
Laroui H, et al. Drug-loaded nanoparticles targeted to the colon with polysaccharide hydrogel reduce colitis in a mouse model. Gastroenterology. 2010. PMID 19909746
- Animal study
In cultured intestinal and immune cells and in mice with chemically induced colitis, KPV entered cells via the PepT1 transporter, dampened NF-kB signalling and reduced colitis.
Dalmasso G, et al. PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology. 2008. PMID 18061177
- Animal study
In two mouse models of colitis, KPV was associated with earlier recovery, better weight regain and fewer inflammatory infiltrates, including in MC1R-deficient mice.
Kannengiesser K, et al. Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2008. PMID 18092346
- Animal study
In mice, KPV reduced neutrophil accumulation in crystal-induced and IL-1β-induced peritonitis, including in mice lacking functional MC1R; unlike alpha-MSH, it did not inhibit macrophage activation in cultured cells.
Getting SJ, et al. Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 2003. PMID 12750433
Short summaries of published studies, with links to the original papers. Results in animals or cells may not apply to people. This is not medical advice and not a guide to use.