AOD-9604 (hGH Fragment 176-191)

Modified hGH Fragment | Fat Loss Peptide

Weight: 1,815.1 Da
Half-life: 3-4 minutes
Chain: 17 amino acids
5 studies
2015 latest
1 recent
Well Studied
Dose 250-500mcg
Frequency Once daily
Cycle 8-12 weeks
Storage Lyophilized: room temp or freezer long-term. Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 28 days
Accumulation Plotter

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AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 176-191) that stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis without the side effects of full growth hormone. Unlike full GH, it does not increase IGF-1, affect glucose metabolism, or cause insulin resistance.

Mechanism of Action

Stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis through beta-3 adrenergic receptor upregulation, without binding to the GH receptor. Does not affect glucose metabolism or increase IGF-1 levels.

01 Targets fat loss through selective lipolysis
02 Avoids growth hormone side effects
03 No effect on blood glucose or insulin
04 Does not increase IGF-1 levels
05 Metabolically safer than full hGH
06 Emerging cartilage repair potential

Molecular Data

Molecular Weight
1,815.1 Da
Chain Length
17 amino acids
Type
Modified hGH C-terminal fragment
Amino Acid Sequence
One-letter: YLRIVQCRSVEGSCGF
H₂N
Y 1
O ‖ C
N
L 2
O ‖ C
N
R 3
O ‖ C
N
I 4
O ‖ C
N
V 5
O ‖ C
N
Q 6
O ‖ C
N
C 7
O ‖ C
N
R 8
O ‖ C
N
S 9
O ‖ C
N
V 10
O ‖ C
N
E 11
O ‖ C
N
H
G 12
O ‖ C
N
S 13
O ‖ C
N
C 14
O ‖ C
N
H
G 15
O ‖ C
N
F 16
COOH
Tyr
1

Tyrosine

Position 1

Leu
2

Leucine

Position 2

Arg
3

Arginine

Position 3

Ile
4

Isoleucine

Position 4

Val
5

Valine

Position 5

Gln
6

Glutamine

Position 6

Cys
7

Cysteine

Position 7

Arg
8

Arginine

Position 8

Ser
9

Serine

Position 9

Val
10

Valine

Position 10

Glu
11

Glutamic Acid

Position 11

Gly
12

Glycine

Position 12

Ser
13

Serine

Position 13

Cys
14

Cysteine

Position 14

Gly
15

Glycine

Position 15

Phe
16

Phenylalanine

Position 16

N-terminus C-terminus
Hydrophobic
Polar
Positive (+)
Negative (-)
Modified
Peak 0.0 mcg
Trough 0.0 mcg
SS Peak 0.0 mcg
SS Trough 0.0 mcg

Research Indications

Fat Loss
Lipolysis Enhancement most effective

Increases fat oxidation, plasma glycerol levels, and reduces body weight in obese models without affecting glucose metabolism.

Lipogenesis Inhibition effective

Reduces fat synthesis and storage in adipose tissue.

Metabolic Safety effective

Does not cause hyperglycemia, reduce insulin secretion, or increase insulin resistance.

Joint Health
Cartilage Repair effective

Enhanced cartilage regeneration when combined with hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis models.

Osteoarthritis Support moderate

Synergistic effects with hyaluronic acid for joint health.

Dosing Protocols

Subcutaneous injection is the standard route. Administer in the morning on an empty stomach, wait 30 minutes before eating for optimal results.

GoalDoseFrequencyRoute
Fat loss - Standard250-300mcgOnce daily (morning, fasted)SubQ
Enhanced fat loss400-500mcgOnce daily (morning, fasted)SubQ
Joint support250mcgOnce dailySubQ
Conservative start200mcgOnce dailySubQ

Reconstitution Instructions

Materials Needed:
  • Lyophilized AOD-9604 vial
  • Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
  • Insulin syringes (0.5-1mL)
  • Alcohol swabs
  • Sterile work surface
  1. 1 Allow vial to reach room temperature (15-20 minutes)
  2. 2 Calculate required bacteriostatic water volume
  3. 3 Clean vial stopper with alcohol swab
  4. 4 Draw BAC water into syringe
  5. 5 Inject slowly down vial side (not directly onto powder)
  6. 6 Gently swirl until dissolved (never shake vigorously)
  7. 7 Store reconstituted solution at 2-8°C
  8. 8 Use within 28 days

Interactions

++
Hyaluronic Acid
Enhanced cartilage repair when combined for joint health.
synergistic
+
BPC-157
Different mechanisms; sometimes combined for comprehensive healing.
compatible
+
CJC-1295
AOD-9604 doesn't affect GH axis; can be used together.
compatible
+
Ipamorelin
Different mechanisms; no known interactions.
compatible
+
Semaglutide
Complementary weight loss mechanisms through different pathways.
compatible
+
Insulin
AOD-9604 doesn't affect glucose metabolism unlike full hGH.
compatible

What to Expect

Week 1-2
Minimal noticeable effects; compound accumulating
Week 3-4
Subtle body composition changes may begin
Week 5-8
More noticeable fat loss, especially with diet and exercise
Week 8-12
Continued fat reduction and improved body composition

Side Effects & Safety

Common Side Effects

  • Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials
  • Mild injection site reactions possible
  • No reported effects on blood glucose or insulin

Stop Signs - Discontinue if:

  • Severe injection site reactions or infection signs
  • Unusual swelling or persistent redness
  • Allergic reactions (rare)
  • Any concerning or unexpected symptoms

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • WADA prohibited - athletes subject to testing must avoid

Quality Checklist

Good Signs

  • White lyophilized powder with uniform appearance
  • Crystal clear solution without particles after reconstitution
  • Certificate of Analysis showing >98% purity by HPLC
  • Proper cold-chain shipping

Warning Signs

  • Not FDA approved as a therapeutic drug - research chemical only
  • WADA prohibited substance

Bad Signs

  • Discolored or clumped powder (yellow indicates degradation)
  • Cloudy solution after reconstitution
  • Collapsed or moisture-damaged appearance

References

  • Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragment
    Heffernan MA, Thorburn AW, Fam B, Summers R, Conway-Campbell B, Waters MJ, Ng FM
    International Journal of Obesity (2001)

    Both hGH and AOD-9604 reduced body weight gain, increased fat oxidation, and stimulated lipolysis in obese ob/ob mice after 14 days chronic IP administration, without affecting glucose metabolism.

  • 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
    Heffernan MA, Jiang WJ, Thorburn AW, Ng FM
    Endocrinology (2001)

    Both hGH and AOD-9604 increased repressed beta-3 adrenergic receptor RNA expression in obese mice to levels comparable with lean mice. Effects abolished in beta-3-AR knockout mice, confirming pathway involvement.

  • Effects of oral administration of a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone on lipid metabolism
    Heffernan MA, Heffernan MJ, Jiang WJ, Thorburn AW, Ng FM
    American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism (2000)

    Oral treatment of ob/ob mice with AOD-9401 for 30 days significantly reduced body weight gain and altered lipogenic and lipolytic activity in adipose tissue.

  • Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone
    Ng FM, Jiang WJ, Gianello R, Pitt C, Heffernan M
    Hormone Research (2000)

    Characterized metabolic properties of AOD-9604 as a synthetic lipolytic domain of hGH with antilipogenic activity that does not interact with the GH receptor.

  • Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model
    Kwon DR, Park GY, Lee SU
    Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science (2015)

    Intra-articular AOD-9604 injections enhanced cartilage regeneration in collagenase-induced osteoarthritis rabbit model. Combined AOD-9604 and hyaluronic acid injections were more effective than either alone.

Related Peptides

BPC-157 compatible

Different mechanisms; sometimes combined for comprehensive healing.

Ipamorelin compatible

Different mechanisms; no known interactions.

Semaglutide compatible

Complementary weight loss mechanisms through different pathways.

Disclaimer

This information is for educational and research purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before use.