KPV Tracker App
Log Oral and Injectable Doses, Track Gut Symptoms, and Monitor Inflammation Markers
KPV (Lys-Pro-Val) is a tripeptide C-terminal fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It is one of the most potent small-molecule anti-inflammatory peptides studied for gut applications, acting directly on NF-kB signalling pathways to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines. KPV can be administered orally — a rare advantage among peptides — making it particularly relevant for IBD (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) and leaky gut protocols. Shotlee tracks every dose, gut symptom, lab marker, and bowel diary entry in one free app.
What Is KPV?
KPV is a tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) corresponding to the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). While alpha-MSH is a 13-amino-acid neuropeptide best known for pigmentation and appetite regulation, its C-terminal fragment KPV carries the primary anti-inflammatory activity of the parent molecule — at far smaller molecular weight, enabling effective oral delivery.
In preclinical IBD models, KPV has demonstrated marked suppression of intestinal inflammation via direct NF-kB inhibition in colonic epithelial cells. It also reduces TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-8 expression in inflamed mucosa. Unlike systemically acting immunosuppressants, KPV acts locally at the gut wall, making it a target for IBD applications where systemic immunosuppression carries significant side-effect burden.
Protocol Options
Oral protocol targeting gut mucosa. Taken on an empty stomach for maximum mucosal contact. Effective for IBD, leaky gut, and intestinal inflammation applications.
Injectable protocol for systemic anti-inflammatory effects or skin inflammation applications. Lower dose than oral due to bypassing first-pass clearance.
Mechanism of Action
Preclinical Research Highlights
What to Track in Shotlee
Build a complete gut health diary — doses, symptoms, lab markers, and bowel regularity all in one place.
Oral KPV for IBD: Why Route Matters
Most therapeutic peptides require injection because the GI tract degrades them before absorption. KPV is an exception — at only three amino acids, it escapes complete gastric and intestinal proteolysis and achieves measurable mucosal concentrations after oral dosing. This makes it uniquely suited for IBD applications where the target tissue (inflamed colon) is directly accessible from the gut lumen.
For skin inflammation applications (psoriasis, eczema), subcutaneous injection is preferred. Some researchers run dual oral and injectable protocols simultaneously to target both gut and systemic inflammatory pathways. Log each route separately in Shotlee to track route-specific effects.
Protocol FAQs
KPV is studied in preclinical research for gut inflammation (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, leaky gut), skin inflammation (psoriasis, eczema), and general anti-inflammatory applications. It inhibits NF-kB signalling in gut epithelial and immune cells. It is not approved for human use.
Yes. As a tripeptide (three amino acids), KPV is small enough to partially escape gastric proteolysis and achieve mucosal concentrations in the intestine after oral dosing. This makes it specifically useful for gut-targeted applications. Typical oral doses are 500 mcg–2 mg twice daily.
Oral KPV targets the gut mucosa directly via the lumen, making it the preferred route for IBD and leaky gut applications. Injectable KPV provides systemic anti-inflammatory effects and is used for skin inflammation or when broader cytokine suppression is the goal. Many protocols use both routes simultaneously.
The most relevant markers are CRP (general inflammation), faecal calprotectin (intestinal inflammation), and for some IBD cases, full blood count and ESR. Log all lab values in Shotlee with the date to build a clear before/after timeline.
BPC-157 and KPV are frequently considered together for gut protocols — BPC-157 promotes mucosal repair and angiogenesis, while KPV reduces the inflammatory environment. There is no human clinical trial data on this combination. Log each compound separately in Shotlee.
Track Your KPV Protocol in Shotlee
Log every oral and injectable KPV dose, track gut symptoms, bowel diary, and CRP results — all free in Shotlee.
