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.
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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.
Research Peptide — Not Approved for Human Use
KPV is not approved by the FDA or in most jurisdictions for human use. All evidence is from preclinical and animal models. Consult a licensed physician before considering any peptide protocol.
Protocol Options
500 mcg–2 mg
Oral, twice daily (BID)
Oral protocol targeting gut mucosa. Taken on an empty stomach for maximum mucosal contact. Effective for IBD, leaky gut, and intestinal inflammation applications.
250 mcg
Subcutaneous injection, once daily
Injectable protocol for systemic anti-inflammatory effects or skin inflammation applications. Lower dose than oral due to bypassing first-pass clearance.
Mechanism of Action
Penetrates colonic epithelial cells and directly inhibits NF-kB nuclear translocation, blocking the master transcription factor driving intestinal inflammatory gene expression.
Suppresses production of key pro-inflammatory cytokines at the mucosal level — specifically TNF-a, IL-6, and IL-8 — without broad systemic immune suppression.
Binds to melanocortin receptors (MC1-R, MC3-R) expressed on immune cells in the gut lamina propria, triggering anti-inflammatory signalling cascades.
Reduces intestinal permeability markers (including zonulin) in inflamed mucosa models, suggesting direct tight junction protection as a secondary mechanism.
Preclinical Research Highlights
NF-kB Inhibition
Direct
KPV directly enters colonocytes and inhibits NF-kB nuclear translocation — a mechanism distinct from most current IBD biologics which work extracellularly.
Colitis Models
Potent
Significant macroscopic and histological colitis improvement in DSS-induced and TNBS-induced rodent IBD models at low mcg/kg oral doses.
Oral Bioavailability
Yes
As a tripeptide, KPV escapes complete gastric proteolysis and achieves local concentrations in intestinal mucosa sufficient for NF-kB pathway inhibition.
What to Track in Shotlee
Build a complete gut health diary — doses, symptoms, lab markers, and bowel regularity all in one place.
Gut Symptom Diary
Log daily gut symptoms — bloating, cramping, urgency, and discomfort on a 0–10 scale. See trends across your protocol weeks.
Inflammation Markers
Record lab values: CRP (C-reactive protein) and faecal calprotectin at each test. Watch inflammation markers decline with effective dosing.
Dose Logs
Log every KPV dose: date, amount (mcg/mg), route (oral/injectable), and timing relative to meals for accurate protocol reconstruction.
Bowel Frequency
Track daily bowel movement frequency and consistency (Bristol Stool Scale). Normalising frequency is a key outcome marker for IBD protocols.
Pain Ratings
Score abdominal pain intensity (0–10) daily. Pain trends alongside dose logs reveal your response window and optimal dosing timing.
Energy Levels
Log daily energy and fatigue ratings. Gut inflammation heavily impacts systemic energy — improving gut health should correlate with energy recovery.
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.
Track Both Routes in Shotlee
If you use KPV both orally and by injection, Shotlee lets you log each dose with its route. Separate logs help you identify which route is driving your symptom improvements.
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.
References
- [1]ReviewDalmasso G, et al. "The peptide Lys-Pro-Val inhibits Shigella-induced intestinal inflammation." Cell Microbiol. 2008;10(4):802-11.
- [2]ReviewBrzoska T, et al. "Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and related tripeptides: biochemistry, antiinflammatory and protective effects in vitro and in vivo." J Invest Dermatol. 2008;128(8):1976-91.
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.
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