AOD-9604
AOD-9604 (modified growth hormone fragment)
A modified fragment of growth hormone developed for obesity that promotes fat metabolism in animals but failed to beat placebo in human weight-loss trials.
Overview
AOD-9604 is a synthetic analogue of the C-terminal fragment of growth hormone (residues 177-191) with an added N-terminal tyrosine. It was developed as an anti-obesity drug because it promotes fat breakdown without the growth-promoting or glucose effects of full growth hormone. Six placebo-controlled trials were summarized only as a safety analysis; no primary efficacy publication of the Phase 2b exists on PubMed, and it was not approved as a drug, though it has received food-ingredient (GRAS) notifications.
Mechanism of action
Stimulates lipolysis and inhibits lipogenesis in fat cells in animal models, without meaningful effects on IGF-1 or blood glucose.
Key studies & citations
- Animal2001
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
14 days of AOD9604 reduced body weight and fat in obese mice and increased beta3-adrenergic receptor expression; effects were lost in beta3-AR knockout mice.
Endocrinology - Animal2000
Molecular and cellular actions of a structural domain of human growth hormone (AOD9401) on lipid metabolism in Zucker fatty rats
The hGH 177-191 lipolytic domain stimulated hormone-sensitive lipase and reduced weight gain in obese rats without inducing insulin resistance or glucose intolerance.
Journal of Molecular Endocrinology - Human2013
Safety and tolerability of the hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in humans
Summary of six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials: AOD9604 (Tyr-hGH177-191) had no effect on IGF-1 or glucose tolerance and a safety profile indistinguishable from placebo; the programme did not establish efficacy for weight loss.
Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism
Frequently asked questions
Does AOD-9604 cause weight loss?
Animal studies showed fat-burning effects, but the human obesity trial did not show significant weight loss over placebo, and it was never approved as a weight-loss drug.