AOD-9604
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176-191) studied for fat loss while isolating GH's lipolytic activity; research protocols typically use 200 mcg subcutaneously once daily.
It has been studied primarily for fat loss and obesity, and explored in research for metabolic and cartilage/joint-related applications.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal lipolytic domain (residues 176-191) of human growth hormone, with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was engineered to isolate hGH's fat-metabolizing activity while avoiding the receptor signaling that drives growth and glucose effects. Research suggests it stimulates lipolysis (breakdown of stored triglycerides) and inhibits lipogenesis in adipocytes, and notably it has been studied to not bind the growth hormone receptor or raise serum IGF-1, distinguishing it from intact hGH.
Animal studies originally implicated beta-3-adrenergic signaling, but work in beta-3-AR knockout mice showed fat-mass effects persisted, indicating a largely receptor-independent pathway that remains incompletely characterized. AOD-9604 is not FDA-approved as a drug; Phase 2 obesity trials did not meet their primary weight-loss endpoint despite a clean safety profile, and it is handled as a research compound.
In research it is typically reconstituted and given subcutaneously, often once daily, with reported research dosing in the low-microgram-per-kg to roughly 300-500 mcg fixed-dose range.
Plasma clearance is rapid (minutes), but research describes metabolic effects on fat and body weight developing gradually over weeks of repeated administration rather than acutely.
In research contexts it is commonly discussed alongside GH-secretagogues such as CJC-1295/ipamorelin or tesamorelin and metabolic/recovery peptides like BPC-157, though stacking is not clinically validated.
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This page is educational reference material about compounds studied in research settings. It is not medical advice, and nothing here is a recommendation to buy, possess, or use any compound. Research findings described are from published literature; individual compounds may not be approved for human use. Talk to a licensed clinician about anything that affects your health.