Description
What AOD-9604 Is (Overview)
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment of human growth hormone (HGH), specifically derived from the C-terminal region (amino acids 176–191). It was engineered to retain certain metabolic signaling properties of HGH without activating the full growth hormone pathway.
AOD-9604 is an investigational research compound and is not an approved medication.
How AOD-9604 Works (Mechanism of Action)
AOD-9604 is studied for its effects on fat metabolism signaling, particularly pathways involved in:
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Lipolysis (fat breakdown signaling)
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Inhibition of lipogenesis (fat storage signaling)
Importantly, AOD-9604:
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Does not stimulate growth hormone release
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Does not activate GH or IGF-1 receptors
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Operates independently of endocrine GH signaling
This makes it mechanistically distinct from GH, GHRPs, or GHRH analogs.
Key Effects Observed in Research
🔥 Lipolysis Signaling
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Studied for promoting fat-breakdown pathways in adipose tissue
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Encourages utilization of stored fat rather than formation of new fat
🚫 Lipogenesis Inhibition
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Associated with reduced signaling for fat storage
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Helps illustrate GH-independent metabolic effects
⚙️ Non-Hormonal Metabolic Activity
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Does not alter cortisol, prolactin, or insulin signaling directly
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Does not affect appetite pathways in research models
🧬 Targeted Peptide Design
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Demonstrates how small GH fragments can exert selective metabolic effects
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Useful for studying structure-function relationships in peptide research
How AOD-9604 Differs From GH-Related Compounds
Key distinctions:
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❌ Not growth hormone
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❌ Not a GH secretagogue (like Ipamorelin or GHRP-6)
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❌ Does not raise IGF-1
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❌ Not anabolic
Instead, AOD-9604 is valued for isolated fat-metabolism signaling without broader endocrine activation.
What It Is Not
For clarity and compliance:
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❌ Not FDA-approved
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❌ Not a weight-loss drug
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❌ Not a hormone replacement
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❌ Not intended for human or veterinary use
All effects referenced are based on laboratory and preclinical research only.
Why Researchers Are Interested
AOD-9604 is studied for insights into:
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Growth hormone fragment biology
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Fat metabolism independent of GH/IGF-1
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Peptide-based metabolic signaling
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Obesity and adipocyte signaling mechanisms
Its ability to separate GH’s metabolic effects from its growth effects makes it especially useful in metabolic research models.

