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Research Use Only18+Not for Human ConsumptionReconstitution Materials Not Supplied
Peptide Database

Metabolic & GLP-1 research

AOD-9604 (hGH Fragment 176-191): Research Overview

Fragment of growth hormone studied for effects on fat metabolism, with disappointing trial results.

Also known as hGH fragment 176-191 · AOD9604 · hGH Fragment 176-191

Research use onlyStrongest evidence: animal studyReviewed
DatabaseReferences

What is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191) that stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without the side effects of full growth hormone. Unlike full GH, it does not increase IGF-1, affect glucose metabolism, or cause insulin resistance.

What is AOD-9604 researched for?

  • Increases fat oxidation, plasma glycerol levels, and reduces body weight in obese models without affecting glucose metabolism.
  • Reduces fat synthesis and storage in adipose tissue.
  • Does not cause hyperglycemia, reduce insulin secretion, or increase insulin resistance.
  • Enhanced cartilage regeneration when combined with hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis models.
  • Synergistic effects with hyaluronic acid for joint health.

How does AOD-9604 work?

Stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis through beta-3 adrenergic receptor upregulation, without binding to the GH receptor. Does not affect glucose metabolism or increase IGF-1 levels.

Reported targets: adrenergic receptor

References

  1. Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragment

    Heffernan MA, Thorburn AW, Fam B, et al. · International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity · 2001

    Both hGH and AOD-9604 reduced body weight gain, increased fat oxidation, and stimulated lipolysis in obese ob/ob mice after 14 days chronic IP administration, without affecting glucose metabolism.

    Animal study · PMID 11673763

  2. The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta(3)-AR knock-out mice

    Heffernan M, Summers RJ, Thorburn A, et al. · Endocrinology · 2001

    Both hGH and AOD-9604 increased repressed beta-3 adrenergic receptor RNA expression in obese mice to levels comparable with lean mice. Effects abolished in beta-3-AR knockout mice, confirming pathway involvement.

    Animal study · PMID 11713213

  3. Effects of oral administration of a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone on lipid metabolism

    Heffernan MA, Jiang WJ, Thorburn AW, et al. · American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism · 2000

    Oral treatment of ob/ob mice with AOD-9401 for 30 days significantly reduced body weight gain and altered lipogenic and lipolytic activity in adipose tissue.

    Animal study · PMID 10950816

  4. Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone

    Ng FM, Sun J, Sharma L, et al. · Hormone research · 2000

    Characterized metabolic properties of AOD-9604 as a synthetic lipolytic domain of hGH with antilipogenic activity that does not interact with the GH receptor.

    PMID 11146367

  5. Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model

    Kwon DR, Park GY · Annals of clinical and laboratory science · 2015

    Intra-articular AOD-9604 injections enhanced cartilage regeneration in collagenase-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model. Combined AOD-9604 and hyaluronic acid injections were more effective than either alone.

    PMID 26275694

Common questions

Does AOD-9604 cause blood sugar problems like full human growth hormone?

No. AOD-9604 is a modified hGH fragment that stimulates lipolysis without binding to the GH receptor or affecting glucose metabolism. Unlike full GH which causes hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, AOD-9604 does not increase IGF-1 levels or disrupt glucose homeostasis, making it metabolically safer.

Is there any cartilage repair evidence for AOD-9604 in humans?

Animal studies show AOD-9604 combined with hyaluronic acid enhanced cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis models. However, this is preclinical; human cartilage repair data doesn't exist. Joint health claims should be considered theoretical unless based on clinical trial data.