Side-by-side · Research reference
KPVvsSS-31
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
AAnimal-StrongDraft13/39 cited
BPhase 3Reviewed9/43 cited
KPV
α-MSH C-terminal · Anti-inflammatory
SQ / oral / topical · Local · Daily or 2-3×/week
SS-31
Cardiolipin-binding · Mitochondrial protective
SQ · Abdomen · Once daily
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
KPV
SS-31
Primary target
Intracellular targets bypassing melanocortin receptors (proposed)Dalle-Pang 2024
Cardiolipin in inner mitochondrial membraneSzeto 2014
Pathway
NF-κB inhibition + cytokine modulation (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) → reduced inflammationDalle-Pang 2024
Cardiolipin binding → cristae stabilisation → ETC integrity → reduced ROS + preserved ATP synthesisSzeto 2014Szilagyi 2009
Downstream effect
Anti-inflammatory action without α-MSH pigmentation effects; gut barrier protectionDalle-Pang 2024
Mitochondrial bioenergetic preservation; cardio-, neuro-, and reno-protective effects in animal + clinical studiesSzeto 2014
Feedback intact?
No melanocortin receptor binding
—
Origin
Synthetic tripeptide; the C-terminal Lys-Pro-Val residues of α-MSH (residues 11-13)Dalle-Pang 2024
Synthetic tetrapeptide D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH₂; cell-permeable, mitochondrial-selectiveSzeto 2014
Antibody development
—
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
KPV
SS-31
Standard dose
200–500 mcg / day SQ or oralDalle-Pang 2024
40 mg / day SQ (clinical trials)Szeto 2014
Anecdotal community range 5-10 mg/day. Phase 3 trials use 40 mg.
Frequency
Daily or 2–3× per week
Once daily
Lower / starter dose
100 mcg / day
5 mg / day (anecdotal)
Evidence basis
Animal-strong + emerging clinical data in IBDDalle-Pang 2024
Multiple Phase 3 trials (Barth, AMD, ischemia-reperfusion)Szeto 2014Szilagyi 2009
Duration
4–8 weeks per cycle
Indefinite for mitochondrial disease; cycled for healthspan use
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water (SQ form)
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
No specific time; often taken with / before meals (oral)
Morning fasted preferred; pre-workout for exercise-induced mitochondrial stress
Half-life
Hours (estimated; rapid tissue uptake)
~3 h plasma; tissue uptake longer
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
KPV
SS-31
Injection site reaction
Mild irritation
Erythema, mild pruritus
GI symptoms
Rare nausea (oral form)
Nausea (uncommon)
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid — insufficient data
Avoid — insufficient data
Headache
—
Reported in some Phase 3 trials
Cardiovascular
—
Cardio-protective in studies; no signal of harm
Absolute Contraindications
KPV
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
SS-31
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Hypersensitivity to peptide
Relative Contraindications
KPV
- ·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical)
SS-31
- ·None established
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
KPV
SS-31
1. Reconstitution
Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to vial per labelling.
Add bacteriostatic water per label. Light-protected handling.
2. Form
SQ injection (acute), oral capsule (chronic / gut), topical for skin indications.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Morning preferred; oral form taken with / before meals.
Morning fasted; pre-workout for exercise-augmented mitochondrial stress.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
Lyophilised: refrigerate, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G insulin syringe (SQ form).
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
KPV
+ BPC-157
StrongKPV (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
SS-31
+ MOTS-c
ModerateSS-31 and MOTS-c address mitochondrial decline through complementary axes. SS-31 protects existing mitochondrial structure (cardiolipin binding, cristae stabilisation). MOTS-c upregulates AMPK/PGC-1α, triggering biogenesis of new mitochondria. Together they pair preservation with renewal — anecdotally favoured in healthspan and post-cardio-event recovery protocols.
- SS-31
- 5–10 mg SQ · daily morning
- MOTS-c
- 5 mg SQ · 2× per week pre-workout
- Primary benefit
- Mitochondrial preservation + biogenesis