AOD-9604

Origin and Development

Developed in Australia from work identifying the C-terminal region of human growth hormone as the part associated with lipolytic activity, separate from growth hormone's growth-promoting effects. The intent was a molecule that influenced fat metabolism without the broader effects of growth hormone itself.

Mechanism as Understood in the Literature

Described in preclinical work as stimulating lipolysis and inhibiting lipogenesis, apparently without the insulin-antagonising or IGF-1-raising effects of full-length growth hormone. The precise receptor interaction is not well established.

Research Status

This is one of the few compounds in this library with a substantial human dataset and a clear negative result. Development ran through six human trials involving over 900 participants. Some earlier trials generated limited or dose-inconsistent signals, but the larger program did not establish clinically meaningful weight-loss efficacy, and obesity development was discontinued in 2007. That outcome is worth stating plainly, because the compound continues to be marketed on the strength of its preclinical rationale rather than its trial results. [ADD: human clinical-development citations to the bibliography below, which is currently mechanistic only.]

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved for any indication. Has been the subject of regulatory attention in various jurisdictions regarding its marketing in supplements. Prohibited in competitive sport under World Anti-Doping Agency rules.

Commonly Confused With

Distinct from HGH Fragment 176-191, which is the unmodified native sequence without the N-terminal tyrosine. Because adding that tyrosine shifts the numbering, AOD-9604 is also correctly written as Tyr-hGH 177-191, and vendors label it both ways. The two compounds are closely related but chemically distinct, and are routinely sold interchangeably.

How This Compound Is Marketed

Vendors in this market commonly market this compound for fat loss and body composition. These are vendors’ marketing claims, not VialReport’s. VialReport does not verify, evaluate, or endorse them, and nothing on this page is medical, dosing, or purchasing advice or a recommendation to use any compound. See “Research status” above for what the published literature actually establishes.

Analytical Profile

A 16-amino-acid peptide (hexadecapeptide), sequence Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe, with an intramolecular disulfide bridge between the two cysteine residues. Free-peptide molecular mass is approximately 1815 Da, with the exact figure depending on disulfide state, salt form, and analytical convention. The added N-terminal tyrosine is the only structural difference from native HGH Fragment 176-191, which makes the mass difference between the two small. Distinguishing them therefore requires an exact target sequence, a defined disulfide state, a correct free-base or salt-form reference standard, and high-resolution mass plus chromatographic comparison. Intact mass alone is not sufficient.

Stability and Handling

Supplied lyophilized. Stable lyophilized at reduced temperature, less stable reconstituted.

Key Literature

01 Ng FM, et al. Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone. Horm Res. 2000;53(6):274-278.
02 Heffernan MA, et al. The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice. Endocrinology. 2001;142(12):5182-5189.

Reports for AOD-9604

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