AOD-9604
Modified hGH Fragment · Fat Loss Peptide
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.
Overview
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.
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.
Research indications
What the compound has been studied for, grouped by body system. Effect size is the reported magnitude where it was measured — not a recommendation.
Increases fat oxidation, plasma glycerol levels, and reduces body weight in obese models without affecting glucose metabolism.
Reduces fat synthesis and storage in adipose tissue.
Does not cause hyperglycemia, reduce insulin secretion, or increase insulin resistance.
Enhanced cartilage regeneration when combined with hyaluronic acid in osteoarthritis models.
Synergistic effects with hyaluronic acid for joint health.
A large effect in a weak study and a small effect in a strong one are different things. Effect size is never evidence of use in people.
- Class
- Modified hGH C-terminal fragment
- Chain length
- 17 residues
- Molecular weight
- 1815.1 Da
- Half-life
- ~4 min
- Typical dose
- 250-500mcg
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Cycle length
- 8-12 weeks
- Storage
- Lyophilized: room temp or freezer long-term. Reconstituted: 2-8°C for 28 days
Molecular data
- Type
- Modified hGH C-terminal fragment
- Molecular weight
- 1815.1 Da
- Chain length
- 17 residues
- Half-life
- 4 min
YLRIVQCRSVEGSCGFDosing reference
Doses reported in the literature and by suppliers. These are a record of what has been used in research — reference, never instruction.
| Context | Route | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat loss - Standard | SubQ | 250-300mcg | Once daily (morning, fasted) |
| Enhanced fat loss | SubQ | 400-500mcg | Once daily (morning, fasted) |
| Joint support | SubQ | 250mcg | Once daily |
| Conservative start | SubQ | 200mcg | Once daily |
Interactions
Enhanced cartilage repair when combined for joint health.
Different mechanisms; sometimes combined for comprehensive healing.
AOD-9604 doesn't affect GH axis; can be used together.
Different mechanisms; no known interactions.
Complementary weight loss mechanisms through different pathways.
AOD-9604 doesn't affect glucose metabolism unlike full hGH.
Quality checklist
- ✓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
- !Not FDA approved as a therapeutic drug - research chemical only
- !WADA prohibited substance
- ×Discolored or clumped powder (yellow indicates degradation)
- ×Cloudy solution after reconstitution
- ×Collapsed or moisture-damaged appearance
What to expect
Safety
- Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials
- Mild injection site reactions possible
- No reported effects on blood glucose or insulin
- Severe injection site reactions or infection signs
- Unusual swelling or persistent redness
- Allergic reactions (rare)
- Any concerning or unexpected symptoms
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- WADA prohibited - athletes subject to testing must avoid
FAQ
Does AOD-9604 cause blood sugar problems like full human growth hormone?
No. AOD-9604 is a modified hGH fragment that stimulates lipolysis without binding to the GH receptor or affecting glucose metabolism. Unlike full GH which causes hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, AOD-9604 does not increase IGF-1 levels or disrupt glucose homeostasis, making it metabolically safer.
How quickly will I see fat loss with AOD-9604?
Week 1-2 shows minimal noticeable effects as compound accumulates. Week 3-4 brings subtle body composition changes. Week 5-8 produces more noticeable fat loss especially with diet and exercise. Week 8-12 shows continued fat reduction and improved body composition. Total timeline is slower than GLP-1 agonists.
Can AOD-9604 be stacked with semaglutide or other weight loss peptides?
Yes. AOD-9604's lipolytic mechanism complements semaglutide's appetite suppression through completely different pathways. However, combination data is limited. Both are safe separately; combining requires monitoring for additive dehydration/GI effects common with semaglutide.
Is there any cartilage repair evidence for AOD-9604 in humans?
Animal studies show AOD-9604 combined with hyaluronic acid enhanced cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis models. However, this is preclinical; human cartilage repair data doesn't exist. Joint health claims should be considered theoretical unless based on clinical trial data.
References
- 1Effects of oral administration of a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone on lipid metabolismHeffernan 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.
animalPubMed 10950816 ↗ - 2Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormoneNg 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.
reviewPubMed 11146367 ↗ - 3Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragmentHeffernan 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.
animalPubMed 11673763 ↗ - 4The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta(3)-AR knock-out miceHeffernan 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.
animalPubMed 11713213 ↗ - 5Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis ModelKwon 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.
animalPubMed 26275694 ↗