AOD-9604
Also referred to as: hGH fragment 176-191, AOD9604
A small piece of the growth-hormone molecule, studied for its effect on fat metabolism without the full hormone's other effects.
In plain terms: AOD-9604 is a small fragment of the growth-hormone molecule, made in the lab. Researchers studied it for fat metabolism, hoping to capture the fat-related part of growth hormone without the rest. Human trials have been mixed, and it is not an approved drug.
- Name
- AOD-9604
- Aliases
- hGH fragment 176-191, AOD9604
- Classification
- Growth-hormone fragment (peptide)
- Areas studied
- Fat metabolism, Weight & fat loss, GH fragment
What it is
AOD-9604 is a lab-made piece of human growth hormone — specifically the tail end of the molecule (the part labeled 176-191). The idea was to isolate the section linked to fat breakdown while leaving out the parts that affect growth and blood sugar.
It has been through some human research, with mixed results.
Mechanism
In lab studies, AOD-9604 has been linked to fat breakdown (lipolysis) and to discouraging the build-up of new fat, while — unlike full growth hormone — not strongly affecting blood sugar or growth in those models.
These effects were clearer in animals and cells than in the human trials that followed.
Areas studied & investigated
The categories below summarize where AOD-9604 appears in the research literature. They describe what the compound is studied for and investigated in — not approved uses, and not guidance for any kind of use.
Fat metabolism
Studied for how it affects the breakdown of stored fat in lab models.
Weight & fat loss
Investigated in trials in connection with fat loss, with mixed results.
Growth-hormone fragments
An example of isolating one part of a hormone to study a single effect.
Cartilage & joints (newer)
Some newer research explores it in joint and cartilage contexts.
Research history
AOD-9604 was developed from research into the fat-related portion of growth hormone and was studied in human obesity trials in the 2000s, which did not show the hoped-for weight effect at the doses tested.
State of the literature
AOD-9604 has some human trial data, which was largely disappointing for weight, alongside earlier lab work. It is not an approved drug.
What to keep in mind
AOD-9604 is a useful lesson in how research actually goes: it looked promising in early lab work for fat loss, but the human trials did not deliver the same results. That gap between "promising in the lab" and "works in people" is exactly why human trials matter. Be cautious of marketing that leans on the early lab promise while skipping the disappointing human data.
Research tools
Evaluating a AOD-9604 batch for laboratory research? These free, research-use-only calculators help you work the numbers and read the paperwork: the reconstitution calculator solves vial concentration and draw volume, and the COA reader walks a certificate line by line. For how much and how often AOD-9604 is commonly used, see the dosing guides.
Batch-tested with published COAs
See what a published COA looks like
Midwest Compounds does not currently list AOD-9604. Every compound it does sell is tested by an independent lab, with a batch-linked certificate of analysis you can check before you buy.
Citations
The summary above is drawn from published, peer-reviewed sources. Links open the abstract on PubMed, or the free full text on PubMed Central (PMC) where marked.
- Heffernan M, et al. 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. Endocrinology, 2001. Abstract
- Ng FM, et al. Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone. Hormone Research, 2000. Abstract