TB-500 and KPV are compared because both are discussed in healing and inflammation research. TB-500 is a synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, studied for cell migration and tissue repair. KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), studied for anti-inflammatory activity in the gut and skin. Neither is FDA-approved.
At a glance
| TB-500 | KPV | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, studied for cell migration, angiogenesis, and tissue repair | Tripeptide (lysine-proline-valine) from the end of alpha-MSH, studied for anti-inflammatory activity in the gut and skin |
| How it's thought to work | Promotes actin polymerization and cell migration, supports angiogenesis, reduces inflammation, distributes systemically | Studied for entering cells and reducing NF-kB inflammatory signaling, without the pigmentation activity of full alpha-MSH |
| Regulatory status | WADA prohibited substance; not FDA-approved for any human use | Not FDA-approved for any human use; sold only as a research chemical |
| Strength of evidence | Preclinical (animal and lab) studies; human data is limited | Preclinical (animal and lab) studies in colitis and skin inflammation; human clinical data is limited |
| Reported side effects | Rare: fatigue, temporary mood changes, injection site reactions | Minimal; occasional injection site irritation. Long-term human safety data is limited |
| Common vial sizes | 5mg, 10mg | 5mg, 10mg |
| Mixing math example | 5 mg + 1 mL BAC water = 5,000 mcg/mL, 50 mcg per unit | 5 mg + 1 mL BAC water = 5,000 mcg/mL, 50 mcg per unit |
Key differences
TB-500 is studied for promoting actin polymerization and cell migration and for supporting angiogenesis, and it is described as distributing throughout the body. KPV is studied for reducing pro-inflammatory NF-kB signaling inside cells, with research concentrated on the gut and skin.
TB-500 is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list. KPV is sold only as a research chemical. Neither is FDA-approved for any human use.
TB-500's reported side effects are rare and include fatigue, temporary mood changes and injection site reactions. KPV's are minimal, mainly occasional injection site irritation.
What the research covers
Both are supported mainly by preclinical research. TB-500's tissue-repair findings come from animal and laboratory studies, and human data is limited. KPV's anti-inflammatory findings come from animal models of colitis and skin inflammation, and human clinical data is limited.
Sources
- Thymosin beta4: actin-sequestering protein moonlights to repair injured tissues. Goldstein AL et al. Trends in Molecular Medicine, 2005. Review
- The effect of thymosin treatment of venous ulcers. Guarnera G et al. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 2010. Human trial
- The Prohibited List. World Anti-Doping Agency, 2026. Regulatory document
- Melanocortin-derived tripeptide KPV has anti-inflammatory potential in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Kannengiesser K et al. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 2008. Preclinical
- PepT1-mediated tripeptide KPV uptake reduces intestinal inflammation. Dalmasso G et al. Gastroenterology, 2008. Preclinical
- Dissection of the anti-inflammatory effect of the core and C-terminal (KPV) alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides. Getting SJ et al. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2003. Preclinical
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between TB-500 and KPV?
TB-500 is a synthetic version of thymosin beta-4 studied for cell migration and tissue repair. KPV is a tripeptide fragment of alpha-MSH studied for reducing inflammatory signaling in the gut and skin.
Is TB-500 or KPV FDA-approved?
Neither is FDA-approved for any human use. TB-500 is also prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Is there human research on TB-500 or KPV?
Human data is limited for both. Their findings come mainly from animal and laboratory studies.
Are TB-500 and KPV the same type of peptide?
No. TB-500 is a synthetic version of thymosin beta-4, while KPV is a three-amino-acid fragment of alpha-MSH.
Both entries, plus the calculator
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