Research-only educational guide

KPV Dosage Calculator and Chart

A research-oriented overview of KPV (Lys–Pro–Val), including biological context, mechanistic themes in the literature, experimental applications, and a non-clinical dosing reference summary for qualified researchers.

Overview

KPV (lysine–proline–valine) is commonly discussed as the C-terminal tripeptide fragment of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), a melanocortin peptide with wide-ranging biological roles across vertebrates. [1]

In the scientific literature, melanocortin peptides and related fragments are reviewed in connection with immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects across diverse experimental systems, with attention to immune-mediated inflammatory disease frameworks. [2–3,14]

This page summarizes peer-reviewed literature themes and includes a separate, non-clinical dosing reference summary for research discussion only. [2–6,14–15]

KPV Dosage Chart: Quick Breakdown

The table below presents a non-clinical reference summary used for research discussion. It is not a clinical guideline and does not establish human safety or efficacy. [15]

Reported reference ranges by administration format (non-clinical reference).
Method of administration Reported reference range
Subcutaneous (KPV) 200–400 mcg daily [15]
Oral (KPV) 250 mcg twice daily [15]

For mechanistic and translational interpretation, prioritize primary literature over informal dosing conventions. [2–6,14]

What Is KPV?

KPV is described in the literature as α-MSH(11–13), the three–amino acid C-terminal fragment of α-MSH. α-MSH is part of the melanocortin system and is commonly discussed in relation to melanocortin receptor signaling and inflammatory regulation. [1–3,14]

Reviews highlight that α-MSH and related fragments can produce anti-inflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, motivating investigation of melanocortin-related peptides in immune-mediated inflammatory disease research contexts. [2–3]

KPV vs. α-MSH: How Are They Different?

Experimental work has evaluated anti-inflammatory actions of core and C-terminal α-MSH fragments (including KPV) and suggests that biological activity can be model- and endpoint-dependent. [4]

Fragment-specific activity

Comparative studies have examined differences between α-MSH fragments, including the C-terminal KPV segment, when dissecting inflammatory pathways. [4]

Pigmentary considerations

Because α-MSH is historically linked to pigmentation biology, fragments are sometimes explored in contexts aiming to preserve immunomodulatory themes without pigmentary endpoints—though outcomes depend on receptor biology and model design. [2–3,14]

Research Applications

The peer-reviewed literature discusses melanocortin peptides and related fragments across inflammatory and tissue-repair research programs, including gastrointestinal inflammation, epithelial inflammation, and wound repair frameworks. [2–3,5–12,14]

Intestinal inflammation models

  • PepT1-mediated uptake of KPV has been reported in association with reduced intestinal inflammation in experimental systems. [5]
  • α-MSH has been examined in experimental inflammatory bowel disease models with reported modulation of disease-related endpoints. [11]
  • Targeted oral delivery approaches (e.g., nanoparticle delivery) have been studied for KPV in ulcerative colitis models. [12]

Epithelial / airway inflammation

  • In vitro work has explored melanocortin-related peptides in bronchial epithelial cells with reported inhibition of inflammatory cues. [6]

Wound-healing frameworks

  • Reviews discuss melanocortin peptides as potential future therapeutics for cutaneous wound healing (translational perspective). [8]
  • Experimental studies report improved cutaneous wound healing endpoints following α-MSH exposure in animal models. [9]
  • Corneal epithelial wound healing research has examined the COOH-terminal α-MSH(11–13) tripeptide and nitric oxide-related mechanisms. [10]
  • Broader neuropeptide context has been reviewed in relation to impaired wound healing in diabetes, including autonomic dysfunction pathways. [7]

Host defense context

Antimicrobial peptide research provides broader background on peptide-based therapeutic development and host-defense mechanisms. [13]

Mechanistic Themes in the Literature

Reviews of α-MSH and related tripeptides describe anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects across multiple models, including discussion of NF-κB signaling, cytokine regulation, adhesion molecules, and leukocyte migration. [2–3,14]

  • KPV uptake via intestinal peptide transport (PepT1) has been linked to reduced inflammatory signaling in experimental intestinal inflammation models. [5]
  • Melanocortin regulation of inflammation is reviewed as part of broader endocrine–immune crosstalk (receptor-mediated pathways). [14]
  • Fragment-specific dissection of α-MSH peptide regions (including the C-terminal KPV segment) has been used to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects experimentally. [4]

Safety

Robust conclusions about human safety, efficacy, and appropriate dosing cannot be drawn from preclinical and mechanistic studies alone. Reviews emphasize that effects may vary by model, endpoint, and receptor biology, and translational interpretation requires clinical evidence. [2–3,14]

If your work involves any exposure model, follow institutional biosafety procedures, ethics approvals, and protocol oversight requirements.

Handling Notes (Laboratory Context)

In research settings, peptides may be supplied as lyophilized material requiring controlled handling, accurate labeling, and documented preparation consistent with institutional SOPs. This page does not provide operational “how-to” instructions for administration.

Good practice reminders

  1. Follow your lab’s aseptic technique and preparation SOPs.
  2. Record concentration calculations and storage conditions for reproducibility.
  3. Use stability/sterility procedures consistent with your institution’s requirements.
  4. Dispose of materials per biosafety policies (and sharps policies where applicable).

Documentation

For publishable research, methods reporting should include preparation conditions, batch identifiers, and analytical verification as appropriate.

Conclusion

KPV is discussed in the literature as an α-MSH–derived tripeptide fragment studied across inflammatory and tissue-repair research frameworks. The strongest support is mechanistic and preclinical, and outcomes can be model-dependent. [2–6,8–12,14]

For rigorous interpretation, prioritize peer-reviewed primary studies and clinically validated findings where available, and treat non-clinical dosing summaries as reference-only. [2–6,14–15]

References

  1. Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  2. Brzoska, T., Luger, T. A., Maaser, C., Abels, C., & Böhm, M. (2008). Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo, and future perspectives for the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Endocrine Reviews, 29(5), 581–602. https://doi.org/10.1210/er.2007-0027
  3. Luger, T. A., & Brzoska, T. (2007). alpha-MSH related peptides: a new class of anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating drugs. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 66(Suppl 3), iii52–iii55. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard.2007.079780
  4. Getting, S. J., Schiöth, H. B., & Perretti, M. (2003). Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 306(2), 631–637. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.103.051623
  5. Dalmasso, G., Charrier-Hisamuddin, L., Nguyen, H. T., Yan, Y., Sitaraman, S., & Merlin, D. (2008). PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Gastroenterology, 134(1), 166–178. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2007.10.026
  6. Land, S. C. (2012). Inhibition of cellular and systemic inflammation cues in human bronchial epithelial cells by melanocortin-related peptides: mechanism of KPV action and a role for MC3R agonists. International Journal of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Pharmacology, 4(2), 59–73.
  7. Theocharidis, G., & Veves, A. (2019). Autonomic nerve dysfunction and impaired diabetic wound healing: The role of neuropeptides. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. (Online article). Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  8. Böhm, M., & Luger, T. (2019). Are melanocortin peptides future therapeutics for cutaneous wound healing? Experimental Dermatology, 28, 219–224. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.13887
  9. de Souza, K. S., Cantaruti, T. A., Azevedo, G. M. Jr., et al. (2015). Improved cutaneous wound healing after intraperitoneal injection of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone. Experimental Dermatology, 24(3), 198–203. https://doi.org/10.1111/exd.12609
  10. Bonfiglio, V., Camillieri, G., Avitabile, T., Leggio, G. M., & Drago, F. (2006). Effects of the COOH-terminal tripeptide alpha-MSH(11–13) on corneal epithelial wound healing: Role of nitric oxide. Experimental Eye Research, 83(6), 1366–1372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.exer.2006.07.014
  11. Rajora, N., Boccoli, G., Catania, A., & Lipton, J. M. (1997). alpha-MSH modulates experimental inflammatory bowel disease. Peptides, 18(3), 381–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-9781(96)00345-2
  12. Xiao, B., Xu, Z., Viennois, E., et al. (2017). Orally targeted delivery of tripeptide KPV via hyaluronic acid-functionalized nanoparticles efficiently alleviates ulcerative colitis. Molecular Therapy, 25(7), 1628–1640. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymthe.2016.11.020
  13. Seo, M. D., Won, H. S., Kim, J. H., Mishig-Ochir, T., & Lee, B. J. (2012). Antimicrobial peptides for therapeutic applications: A review. Molecules, 17(10), 12276–12286. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules171012276
  14. Wang, W., Guo, D. Y., Lin, Y. J., & Tao, Y. X. (2019). Melanocortin regulation of inflammation. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 10, 683. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00683
  15. NordisPharma. (2026). KPV dosage calculator and chart: A–Z guide. Internal educational summary prepared for research discussion (non-clinical reference ranges).

Educational content for research discussion only. Not medical advice.