KPV is the tripeptide Lys-Pro-Val, the C-terminal sequence (residues 11 to 13) of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH). It has been studied as a small melanocortin-derived peptide with anti-inflammatory activity in cell and rodent models. Most published work concerns intestinal inflammation: uptake by the di/tripeptide transporter PepT1 in intestinal epithelial and immune cells, and murine colitis models. More recent in vitro and mouse studies have examined lipid accumulation in hepatocyte and adipocyte models.