Direct Answer
AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191) studied mainly in preclinical models of fat metabolism and, later, joint tissue.
Summary Table
Evidence Level
Preclinical
AI Summary
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide based on the C-terminal 176-191 fragment of human growth hormone, originally developed as a candidate obesity treatment. The evidence base is preclinical to limited: early work described effects on fat metabolism in laboratory and animal models, but human obesity studies did not establish it as an effective, approved therapy, and later research examined intra-articular use in an animal osteoarthritis model. It is not approved by any regulator. Reported context is largely mechanistic, and independent controlled human efficacy data are lacking.
Key Information
Classification
Key Takeaways
- AOD-9604 is a synthetic growth-hormone 176-191 fragment studied mainly in preclinical fat-metabolism models
- Human obesity studies did not establish it as an effective, approved therapy
- It is not approved by any regulator and is sold as a research chemical
Scientific Overview
In Plain English
AOD-9604 is a lab-made piece of the growth-hormone molecule that was first studied as a possible weight-loss drug. Most of the supporting data come from cell and animal studies; human weight-loss studies did not lead to approval. It is not an approved medicine, and it is sometimes sold as a research chemical.
Scientific Details
AOD-9604 corresponds to human growth hormone residues 176-191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine. Preclinical work described lipolytic and lipogenesis-modulating activity independent of the growth-promoting actions of full-length growth hormone. It was investigated as an anti-obesity candidate but was not established as an effective therapy in humans and did not achieve regulatory approval; a later animal study examined intra-articular injection in a rabbit osteoarthritis model.
How It Works
AOD-9604 is described in research as a growth-hormone C-terminal fragment associated with effects on fat metabolism (lipolysis and lipogenesis) in laboratory and animal models, reported to occur without the insulin-antagonizing or growth-promoting effects of full-length growth hormone. These mechanisms are characterized preclinically and are not confirmed by controlled human outcome data.
Mechanism of Action
Modulation of fat metabolism
animal
Preclinical studies associate AOD-9604 with lipolytic and lipogenesis-modulating activity in adipose models, reported as independent of growth-hormone receptor growth signaling.
Evidence Level
Human Evidence
AOD-9604 was studied as an obesity candidate in humans, but published, independent evidence establishing efficacy is limited, and it did not achieve regulatory approval.
Animal Evidence
Rodent studies described effects on fat metabolism; a rabbit study examined intra-articular injection in an osteoarthritis model.
Cell Evidence
In vitro work characterized effects on adipocyte metabolism.
Limitations
The supportive evidence is predominantly preclinical; controlled human efficacy data are limited and did not lead to approval. Some cited work relates to anti-doping detection rather than clinical outcomes.
Why This Grade
Graded preclinical: effects are described mainly in laboratory and animal models. Human obesity investigation did not establish efficacy or lead to approval, so no positive controlled human outcome evidence is cited.
References
- AOD-9604 Metabolic. Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs.ReviewPMID: 15134286 →
- Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model. Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science.Animal StudyPMID: 26275694 →
- Detection and in vitro metabolism of AOD9604. Drug Testing and Analysis.Cell / In Vitrodoi:10.1002/dta.1715 →
Alternative Names
- AOD9604
- hGH fragment 176-191
- Anti-Obesity Drug 9604
Risks & Safety
- Human safety and efficacy are not established by approved-drug standards; it is not an approved medicine
- Research-chemical-vendor material is not quality-controlled and may be mislabeled or contaminated
- Long-term effects are not characterized in controlled human studies
- Use in sport may raise anti-doping considerations; check current WADA listings
Claim Boundaries
ION BLUE is an educational research aggregator. This content summarizes published scientific literature. It is not medically reviewed, is not medical advice, and is not a recommendation to use any substance. Several peptides discussed are research chemicals or investigational drugs not approved for general human use. Consult a licensed healthcare provider. This entry does not assert that AOD-9604 is safe or effective in humans and is not a recommendation to obtain or use it.
This page summarizes published research and is for informational purposes only; it is not medical advice.