Comparison. Research use only.
KPV vs BPC-157
KPV and BPC-157 are both studied in gut inflammation and mucosal injury models, which is why they are compared. They come from unrelated parent molecules: KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH and needs the PepT1 transporter to work in intestinal cells, while BPC-157 is a 15-residue sequence from a gastric protein linked to growth factor and nitric oxide pathways.
What is the difference between KPV and BPC-157?
KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH (Lys-Pro-Val) that enters intestinal cells through the PepT1 transporter and suppresses NF-kappaB and MAP kinase signalling. BPC-157 is a 15-amino-acid peptide from a human gastric protein, linked to VEGFR2, nitric oxide and FAK-paxillin pathways with no identified receptor. Neither KPV nor BPC-157 has published human trials; both evidence bases are in vitro and rodent.
| Attribute | KPV | BPC-157 |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH (residues 11-13) | Conserved sequence from the human gastric juice protein BPC |
| Length and sequence | 3 amino acids: Lys-Pro-Val | 15 amino acids: Gly-Glu-Pro-Pro-Pro-Gly-Lys-Pro-Ala-Asp-Asp-Ala-Gly-Leu-Val |
| Molecular weight | 342.43 g/mol | 1419.53 Da |
| Proposed mechanism | PepT1-dependent uptake, then NF-kappaB and MAP kinase suppression (Dalmasso 2008; Viennois 2016) | VEGFR2 upregulation, nitric oxide modulation, FAK-paxillin activation; receptor not identified |
| Typical research models | Murine colitis and colitis-associated cancer; intestinal cell lines | Rat NSAID gastropathy, Achilles tendon and angiogenesis models |
| Human evidence | None; no trial registered on ClinicalTrials.gov | No completed human clinical trials published |
| Regulatory / WADA | Not approved by FDA, EMA or any comparable authority | Investigational, no approved use; WADA S0 since 2023 |
What is KPV?
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, a sequence it shares with the corresponding region of ACTH. Unlike the parent hormone, its anti-inflammatory activity in intestinal tissue does not depend on classical melanocortin receptor engagement.
Read the full KPV research summary →What is BPC-157?
BPC-157 (Body Protection Compound-157) is a synthetic pentadecapeptide, a chain of 15 amino acids, taken from a conserved sequence within the human gastric juice protein BPC. It is unusually stable in gastric acid, plasma, and tissue (hence the name 'stable gastric pentadecapeptide'), which sets it apart from most endogenous peptides.
Read the full BPC-157 research summary →KPV and BPC-157 specifications
Frequently asked questions
Do KPV and BPC-157 work the same way?
No. KPV must enter intestinal epithelial and immune cells through the PepT1 transporter; in PepT1-knockout mice it had no effect (Viennois et al., 2016). Inside cells it suppressed NF-kappaB and MAP kinase signalling (Dalmasso et al., 2008). BPC-157's receptor has not been identified, and rodent work links it to VEGFR2 upregulation, nitric oxide modulation and FAK-paxillin signalling.
Is KPV a melanocortin like alpha-MSH?
KPV is the C-terminal tripeptide of alpha-MSH, but it does not behave like the full hormone. It kept its anti-inflammatory effect in MC1R-deficient mice (Kannengiesser et al., 2008) and does not reproduce alpha-MSH's pigment-producing activity. BPC-157 has no melanocortin connection at all: it comes from a gastric protein. The two are compared because both are studied in gut injury and inflammation models.
Have KPV or BPC-157 been studied in humans?
No. No human clinical trial of KPV is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and no published human interventional study was identified; its evidence comes from cell lines and murine colitis models. No completed human clinical trials of BPC-157 have been published either; its findings come from rat models such as NSAID gastropathy (Sikiric et al., 2011). Both KPV and BPC-157 remain research chemicals.
What is the regulatory status of KPV and BPC-157?
KPV is not approved by the FDA, EMA or any comparable authority for any indication and has no marketing authorization. BPC-157 is an investigational peptide with no approved use in any jurisdiction, and WADA added it to its S0 (Non-Approved Substances) list in 2023. Veridian supplies both KPV and BPC-157 strictly for in vitro and non-clinical laboratory research.
Other research peptide comparisons
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