Metabolic & Incretin Research Guide

AOD-9604: Mechanism, Handling & Research Guide

Also known as: AOD9604, hGH fragment 176-191 analog

Key Facts

AOD-9604 is a metabolic & incretin research peptide. Synthetic hGH fragment 176-191 analogue for lipid metabolism research. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder for laboratory and in-vitro research use only — not for human consumption.

Classification	Modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone
Research Half-Life	Short circulating half-life in preclinical models
Form	Lyophilized powder
Research Category	Metabolic & Incretin

What is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 is a modified 16-amino acid fragment corresponding to the C-terminal region (residues 176-191) of human growth hormone, with a tyrosine substitution that modulates its lipolytic activity. Its mechanism of action involves stimulating lipolysis and inhibiting lipogenesis in adipose tissue through a pathway distinct from the GH receptor, meaning it does not promote IGF-1 elevation or the diabetogenic effects associated with full-length growth hormone. Research conducted at Monash University by Ng et al. (Obesity Research, 2000) demonstrated that AOD-9604 reduced body fat in obese Zucker rats without affecting glucose tolerance or inducing growth-promoting effects. A subsequent human clinical trial (Stier et al., 2013) examined oral formulations and found the compound was well-tolerated, though metabolic-pathway research results were modest compared to research-grade use in preclinical models. AOD-9604 was granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the FDA in 2014 for use as a food supplement ingredient, distinguishing it from most peptides in its regulatory profile. Compared to full-length hGH, AOD-9604 offers a more targeted approach to fat metabolism research without the broad anabolic and insulin-resistance concerns. Additional preclinical studies suggest potential applications in cartilage repair and osteoarthritis models. Store the lyophilized powder at -20C; reconstitute with bacteriostatic water and refrigerate at 2-8C, using reconstituted material within 21 days. AOD-9604 is studied by metabolic research laboratories, sports science institutions, and orthopedic research groups investigating cartilage regeneration.

AOD-9604 Research Applications

In published and preclinical research, AOD-9604 has been studied across the following areas:

Lipolysis and fat metabolism studies
Adipocyte size reduction research
Glucose and insulin regulation
Body composition optimization

AOD-9604 in Research: Study Context

AOD-9604 is a modified fragment derived from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, studied for lipolytic activity without the glucose effects of full-length GH. Research concentrations are model-specific. The lyophilized peptide is reconstituted with bacteriostatic water for laboratory use only.

AOD-9604 — Frequently Asked Questions

Is AOD-9604 legal to buy for research?

AOD-9604 is sold in the United States as a research chemical for laboratory and in-vitro use only. It is not approved by the FDA for human use and is not sold for human consumption. Researchers are responsible for compliance with all applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Does AOD-9604 come with a Certificate of Analysis?

Yes. Every batch of AOD-9604 from Elyte Peptides ships with a third-party Certificate of Analysis (COA) documenting identity and HPLC purity (≥98%), so research results can be traced to a verified lot.

What is AOD-9604 and how does it work?

AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment corresponding to amino acids 176-191 of human growth hormone (hGH), with a tyrosine residue added at the N-terminus. It mimics the lipolytic (fat-metabolizing) activity of hGH without affecting blood sugar or growth. In preclinical models, AOD-9604 has been observed to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis by interacting with the beta-3 adrenergic receptor pathway.

What research has been done on AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 was originally developed at Monash University in Australia. Published research in the Journal of Endocrinology demonstrated its lipolytic effects in obese Zucker rats without diabetogenic activity. Phase 2 clinical studies in humans showed reductions in body fat. The compound also received GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA for use in food applications, and separate preclinical studies have examined its effects on cartilage repair.

How does AOD-9604 compare to HGH Fragment 176-191?

AOD-9604 and HGH Fragment 176-191 share the same amino acid sequence from human growth hormone but AOD-9604 includes an additional C-terminal disulfide bond (Cys-182 to Cys-189) that stabilizes its structure. This modification gives AOD-9604 improved stability and potentially greater bioactivity in research settings compared to the linear hGH fragment.

Research References

Heffernan M et al. The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism. Endocrinology.

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