Side-by-side · Research reference

ACE-031vsKPV

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED10/44 cited

BAnimal-StrongAUTO-DRAFTED13/39 cited

ACE-031

ActRIIB-Fc Fusion · Phase 2 Halted

Phase 2Highest trial stage

2011Development halted

~58.4 kDaMolecular weightReichel 2025

SQ · Weekly dosing investigated

KPV

α-MSH C-terminal · Anti-inflammatory

200–500 mcgDaily doseDalle-Pang 2024

AnimalEvidence levelDalle-Pang 2024

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ / oral / topical · Local · Daily or 2-3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

ACE-031

KPV

Primary target

Myostatin, GDF11, activin A — TGF-β superfamily ligands

Intracellular targets bypassing melanocortin receptors (proposed)Dalle-Pang 2024

Pathway

Soluble decoy receptor binds circulating myostatin/TGF-β ligands → prevents ActRIIB activation → SMAD2/3 pathway inhibition

NF-κB inhibition + cytokine modulation (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) → reduced inflammationDalle-Pang 2024

Downstream effect

Disinhibition of myogenic signaling, increased skeletal muscle mass and strength

Anti-inflammatory action without α-MSH pigmentation effects; gut barrier protectionDalle-Pang 2024

Feedback intact?

—

No melanocortin receptor binding

Origin

Recombinant fusion protein: human ActRIIB extracellular domain + IgG1-Fc fragmentReichel 2025

Synthetic tripeptide; the C-terminal Lys-Pro-Val residues of α-MSH (residues 11-13)Dalle-Pang 2024

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

ACE-031

KPV

Clinical dosing

Weekly or biweekly SQ injections (exact doses undisclosed pre-halt)

Phase 2 DMD trial protocol not fully published.

—

Black market products

Variable purity; 12/14 tested products contained target protein plus contaminantsReichel 2025

SDS-PAGE revealed multiple protein bands; quality control absent.Reichel 2025

—

Evidence basis

Phase 2 trial discontinued — incomplete dataset

Animal-strong + emerging clinical data in IBDDalle-Pang 2024

Half-life

Days to weeks (Fc-fusion typical kinetics)

IgG1-Fc domain confers extended circulation time.

Hours (estimated; rapid tissue uptake)

Duration investigated

12–24 weeks (trial cut short)

—

Standard dose

—

200–500 mcg / day SQ or oralDalle-Pang 2024

Frequency

—

Daily or 2–3× per week

Lower / starter dose

—

100 mcg / day

Duration

—

4–8 weeks per cycle

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water (SQ form)

Timing

—

No specific time; often taken with / before meals (oral)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

ACE-031

KPV

Epistaxis (nosebleeds)

Significant incidence in Phase 2 DMD trial — primary safety signal

—

Telangiectasia

Dilated capillaries / spider veins observed

—

Vascular abnormalities

Mechanism: ActRIIB/ALK1 pathway disruption affects vascular homeostasis

—

Injection site reactions

Local erythema, induration (biologics class effect)

—

Antibody development

Potential for anti-drug antibodies (Fc-fusion proteins); incidence not reported

—

Black market contaminants

12/14 tested products contained multiple unidentified proteins alongside ACE-031Reichel 2025

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation

GI symptoms

—

Rare nausea (oral form)

Pigmentation

—

None (unlike full α-MSH)Dalle-Pang 2024

Long-term safety

—

Limited human data

Pregnancy / OB

—

Avoid — insufficient data

Absolute Contraindications

ACE-031

·History of vascular disorders (epistaxis, telangiectasia, HHT)
·Pregnancy (TGF-β pathway critical for fetal development)
·Active malignancy (myostatin inhibition may affect tumour growth)
·Use of non-pharmaceutical grade ACE-031 (contamination risk)Reichel 2025

KPV

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

ACE-031

·Coagulation disorders or anticoagulant use (epistaxis risk)
·Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) family history
·Cardiovascular disease (vascular remodeling effects unknown)

KPV

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

ACE-031

KPV

1. Pharmaceutical status

ACE-031 is not FDA-approved or commercially available. Phase 2 development was discontinued in 2011 due to safety concerns. Any ACE-031 on the black market is unregulated research chemical.

Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to vial per labelling.

2. Black market quality

12 of 14 tested black market ACE-031 products contained the target protein but also carried multiple unidentified protein contaminants detectable by SDS-PAGE. Two products contained no ACVR2B-immunoreactive material.Reichel 2025

SQ injection (acute), oral capsule (chronic / gut), topical for skin indications.

3. Detection in sport

ACE-031 is prohibited under WADA S4.3 (Myostatin Inhibitors). Gel electrophoresis and Western blotting using ACVR2B-specific antibodies can detect the ~58.4 kDa protein in biological samples.Reichel 2025

Morning preferred; oral form taken with / before meals.

4. Clinical trial route

Phase 2 protocol used subcutaneous injections at weekly or biweekly intervals. Exact dosing protocols remain unpublished.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

—

29–31G insulin syringe (SQ form).

06Stack Synergy

ACE-031

— no documented stacks

KPV

+ BPC-157

Strong

View BPC-157 →

KPV (NF-κB inhibition, cytokine reduction) + BPC-157 (VEGF-driven angiogenesis, tissue regeneration) form the classic gut-healing stack. KPV reduces inflammatory drive; BPC-157 promotes mucosal repair. Anecdotally favoured for IBD, ulcerative colitis, and post-surgical gut recovery.

KPV: 200–500 mcg oral · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg oral or SQ · daily
Primary benefit: Combined anti-inflammation + mucosal repair for gut conditions

Dalle-Pang 2024 Sikiric 2018