Follistatin vs KPV
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Follistatin
Follistatin is a glycoprotein that inhibits myostatin, the protein responsible for limiting muscle growth. By blocking myostatin, follistatin can theoretically allow for increased muscle development beyond natural limits.
Full details →KPV
KPV is a tripeptide (Lys-Pro-Val) derived from alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). It retains the potent anti-inflammatory properties of the parent hormone without the tanning or other melanocortin effects.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Follistatin | KPV |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to and neutralizes myostatin and activin, both of which are negative regulators of muscle mass. This removes the natural brake on muscle growth, allowing for enhanced hypertrophy. | Inhibits NF-κB activation and reduces inflammatory cytokine production. Enters cells and directly modulates inflammatory signaling without requiring melanocortin receptors. |
| Typical Dosage | Research protocols typically use 100-300mcg daily, though optimal dosing is not well established. Gene therapy approaches have also been studied. | Oral/sublingual: 200-500mcg 1-3 times daily. Topical formulations for localized inflammation. Also used in enemas for gut inflammation. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection. Different isoforms exist (FS344, FS315) with varying properties. Requires careful sourcing due to complexity. | Can be taken orally, sublingually, or as suppositories/enemas for gut inflammation. Topical use for skin conditions. Stable orally unlike most peptides. |
| Side Effects | Limited human data. Theoretical concerns about effects on other organs where activin signaling is important. | Generally very well-tolerated. Minimal systemic effects due to targeted anti-inflammatory action. |
| Best For |