AOD-9604
Also known as: Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, Tyr-hGH Fragment 177-191, AOD9604
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177-191) with a tyrosine residue added for enhanced stability. It stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without affecting blood glucose or IGF-1, and has been granted FDA GRAS status as a food ingredient.
AOD-9604 is a 1,815.08 Da research peptide. AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177-191) with a tyrosine residue added for enhanced stability. It stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without affecting blood glucose or IGF-1, and has been granted FDA GRAS status as a food ingredient.
Also called: Anti-Obesity Drug 9604, Tyr-hGH Fragment 177-191, AOD9604
1,815.08
Molecular Weight
Daltons
3
Strong Evidence
benefits
5
Studies Cited
peer-reviewed
250-500
Typical Dose
mcg
Overview
AOD-9604 (Anti-Obesity Drug 9604) is a synthetic peptide derived from the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone, specifically amino acids 177-191, with the addition of a tyrosine residue at the N-terminus. Developed at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia by Professor Frank Ng and colleagues, AOD-9604 was designed to capture the fat-metabolizing activity of GH while eliminating growth-promoting and diabetogenic effects. It represents a stabilized, optimized version of HGH Fragment 176-191. AOD-9604 underwent extensive clinical development including Phase IIb obesity trials conducted by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited. While the clinical trial results showed statistically significant fat loss, the magnitude was considered insufficient for regulatory approval as a standalone obesity drug. However, AOD-9604 was subsequently granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status by the FDA in 2014 as a food ingredient, reflecting its excellent safety profile. More recently, research has explored AOD-9604 for musculoskeletal applications, with studies showing it stimulates proteoglycan synthesis in cartilage, suggesting potential for osteoarthritis treatment. It is widely used in compounding pharmacy and sports medicine contexts.
Key Takeaways: AOD-9604
- Strongest evidence supports AOD-9604 for fat loss without gh side effects and fda gras safety status
- Research doses typically range from 250 to 500 mcg via subcutaneous injection
- 3 benefits with strong evidence, 1 moderate, 1 preliminary
- Half-life: Approximately 30-45 minutes
- 5 cited research studies in this guide
Mechanism of Action
AOD-9604 mimics the lipolytic mechanism of the C-terminal domain of growth hormone without activating the classical GH receptor (GHR) or stimulating IGF-1 production. It interacts with a distinct binding site on adipocyte membranes to activate beta-3 adrenergic receptor-mediated pathways and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), the rate-limiting enzyme for triglyceride hydrolysis in adipose tissue. This promotes the breakdown of stored fat into free fatty acids for oxidation. Simultaneously, AOD-9604 inhibits lipogenesis by reducing the activity of lipogenic enzymes including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, preventing new fat deposition. The tyrosine modification enhances metabolic stability compared to the native HGH Fragment 176-191, providing more consistent biological activity. In cartilage, AOD-9604 stimulates proteoglycan and collagen synthesis by chondrocytes through a mechanism that may involve upregulation of sulfated glycosaminoglycan production. This chondroprotective effect appears to be independent of its lipolytic mechanism and represents a distinct therapeutic application. Importantly, AOD-9604 does not bind the GH receptor, does not activate JAK2/STAT5 signaling, and does not influence the GH/IGF-1 axis.
Research Benefits
AOD-9604 at a Glance
AOD-9604 mimics the lipolytic mechanism of the C-terminal domain of growth hormone without activating the classical GH receptor (GHR) or stimulating IGF-1 production.
Fat Loss Without GH Side Effects
Strong EvidenceClinical trials demonstrate fat mass reduction through lipolysis stimulation and lipogenesis inhibition, without hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, or IGF-1 elevation associated with full-length GH.
FDA GRAS Safety Status
Strong EvidenceGranted FDA Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in 2014 as a food ingredient, reflecting extensive safety data from preclinical and clinical studies confirming no adverse metabolic effects.
No Diabetogenic Effects
Strong EvidenceMultiple clinical studies confirm AOD-9604 does not affect blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, or HbA1c; a major advantage over full-length GH and other obesity treatments.
Cartilage Regeneration
Moderate EvidenceResearch shows AOD-9604 stimulates proteoglycan synthesis in articular cartilage, with potential therapeutic applications for osteoarthritis and cartilage repair.
Musculoskeletal Repair
PreliminaryEmerging clinical use in sports medicine for joint and tendon repair applications, often administered via intra-articular injection for localized cartilage support.
Research Dosing Protocols
Research Purposes Only: All content is for informational and research purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.
| Research Protocol | Dose Range | Route |
|---|---|---|
| Standard fat loss protocol | 250–500 mcg | Subcutaneous injection |
| Clinical trial dose (obesity) | 1000–1000 mcg | Oral capsule (clinical trials used oral dosing) |
| Intra-articular (joint/cartilage) | 250–500 mcg | Intra-articular injection (physician-administered) |
Frequency
Once daily (fat loss); weekly or as-needed (intra-articular)
Timing
Fasted state essential for fat loss applications, morning before food preferred
Cycle Length
12-24 weeks for fat loss; variable for musculoskeletal applications
Research Notes
- 1Fasting is critical — insulin from food inhibits the lipolytic mechanism.
- 2Inject subcutaneously in the morning, 30-60 minutes before eating.
- 3Clinical obesity trials used oral dosing at higher concentrations.
- 4For joint applications, intra-articular injection is administered by a healthcare provider.
- 5Does not affect GH levels, IGF-1, or pituitary function.
- 6Can be combined with GH secretagogues without interference (different mechanisms).
Reconstitution Guide
Standard Reconstitution
Vial Size
5 mg
Bacteriostatic Water
2 mL
Concentration
25 mcg
per 0.1 mL (10 units)
Step-by-Step Guide
Gather Materials
AOD-9604 vial, bacteriostatic water, alcohol swabs, insulin syringes.
Equilibrate Temperature
Remove the vial from storage and allow it to reach room temperature (5-10 minutes).
Sanitize
Swab the rubber stopper of both the peptide vial and bacteriostatic water vial with alcohol.
Draw Water
Draw 2 mL of bacteriostatic water into a syringe.
Add Water to Vial
Insert the needle into the peptide vial and direct the water stream against the glass wall — not directly onto the powder.
Mix Gently
Swirl the vial gently until the powder is fully dissolved. Never shake. The solution should be clear and colorless.
Store Properly
Refrigerate at Refrigerated (2-8°C / 36-46°F) after reconstitution. Up to 30 days refrigerated after reconstitution.
Storage Temperature
Refrigerated (2-8°C / 36-46°F) after reconstitution
Shelf Life
Up to 30 days refrigerated after reconstitution
Important Notes
- •Use bacteriostatic water for reconstitution.
- •Swirl gently; do not shake.
- •Solution should be clear and colorless.
- •Store lyophilized powder at -20°C for long-term storage.
- •The tyrosine modification provides better stability than native HGH Fragment 176-191.
AOD-9604 Dosing Calculator
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AOD-9604 Reconstitution Calculator
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Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- !Injection site reactions (mild redness, irritation, most common)
- !Headache (infrequent, reported in clinical trials)
- !No hyperglycemia or insulin resistance (confirmed across multiple studies)
- !No IGF-1 elevation or GH-related side effects
- !No effect on bone growth, organ enlargement, or other GH-mediated risks
- !Generally well tolerated; FDA GRAS status reflects favorable safety profile
- !Mild GI discomfort with oral formulations (clinical trial reports)
Potential Interactions
- ⚡Should not be combined with food (insulin inhibits lipolytic mechanism).
- ⚡Compatible with GH secretagogues (does not affect GH axis).
- ⚡No known interactions with thyroid medications.
- ⚡No competition with exogenous GH at the receptor level.
- ⚡May be combined with other weight management agents, though interaction data is limited.
- ⚡No interactions with oral hypoglycemics reported (does not affect glucose metabolism).
Important: Side effects and interactions listed here are compiled from published research and community reports. This is not a complete list. No formal drug interaction studies have been conducted for most research peptides. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Research Studies
The following studies are referenced in this profile. PubMed IDs are provided where available for independent verification.
AOD-9604 reduces body fat in obese Zucker rats without affecting IGF-1 or blood glucose
Demonstrated AOD-9604 significantly reduced body fat in genetically obese rats without affecting IGF-1 levels, blood glucose, or insulin sensitivity, establishing its metabolic safety profile.
Phase IIb clinical trial of AOD-9604 in obese subjects
Large-scale clinical trial showing statistically significant fat loss with oral AOD-9604 compared to placebo over 12 weeks, with no adverse metabolic effects on glucose or insulin.
AOD-9604 stimulates proteoglycan synthesis in articular cartilage
Showed AOD-9604 stimulates proteoglycan and collagen synthesis by chondrocytes, demonstrating potential for cartilage repair and osteoarthritis treatment beyond its metabolic applications.
Safety and tolerability of AOD-9604: thorough review
thorough safety dossier submitted to the FDA supporting GRAS status, including data from preclinical toxicology, clinical trials, and post-market surveillance confirming an excellent safety profile.
The lipolytic domain of growth hormone: characterization of AOD-9604
Characterized the structure-activity relationship of the GH C-terminal fragment and the rationale for AOD-9604's tyrosine modification, confirming enhanced stability while maintaining selective lipolytic activity.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of all published research. Studies are selected for relevance and quality. Click PubMed IDs to verify sources independently. Inclusion does not imply endorsement of the peptide for any clinical use.
Frequently Asked Questions
AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177-191 + tyrosine) that promotes fat loss without the side effects of full GH. It has FDA GRAS status as a food ingredient and has been studied in clinical obesity trials.
AOD-9604 is a stabilized version of HGH Fragment 176-191 with an added tyrosine residue at the N-terminus. This modification improves metabolic stability and provides more consistent biological activity. AOD-9604 has more extensive clinical trial data and FDA GRAS status.
AOD-9604 has FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status as a food ingredient (GRN 000535), which is different from drug approval. It has not been FDA-approved as a prescription pharmaceutical for obesity treatment.
No. Multiple clinical studies confirm AOD-9604 does not affect blood glucose, insulin levels, or HbA1c. This is one of its key advantages — it provides fat-specific metabolic activity without diabetogenic effects.
Research shows AOD-9604 stimulates proteoglycan synthesis in cartilage, and it is increasingly used in sports medicine for joint applications via intra-articular injection. Clinical evidence for joint repair is still developing but preclinical data is promising.
Phase IIb clinical trials showed statistically significant fat loss but the magnitude of weight reduction (approximately 2-3 kg over 12 weeks) was considered insufficient for regulatory approval as a standalone obesity drug, especially given the competitive field. Its safety profile was excellent.
Research & Educational Use Only
All content is for informational and research purposes only. This site does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using any peptide or supplement.
The information presented here is compiled from published research studies and is intended for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider.