— Research monograph
AOD-9604
A modified fragment of growth hormone studied for lipolytic activity.
- Class
- Modified C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 176-191 + N-terminal Tyr)
- Half-life (research)
- ~3 hr (preclinical pharmacokinetic data).
- Origin
- Developed at Monash University in the 1990s by Frank Ng and colleagues as a synthetic fragment representing the putative lipolytic domain of human growth hormone.
- Solubility
- Water-soluble; reconstitutes in bacteriostatic water.
What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide derived from the C-terminal lipolytic fragment of human growth hormone, with an additional tyrosine residue at the N-terminus added for stability. It represents one of the most-studied "fragment-of-hormone" approaches in metabolic research.
Preclinical work has investigated whether AOD-9604 retains the lipolytic effects of full-length growth hormone while lacking the growth-promoting and glycemic effects mediated through the GH receptor. The compound has been the subject of human clinical trials for obesity, though it has not received regulatory approval as a therapeutic.
How does AOD-9604 work?
Reported to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis in adipocyte models. The mechanism is proposed to be independent of the canonical GH receptor pathway; specific receptor targets remain incompletely characterized in the public literature.
Research applications
- Lipolysis pathway research
- GH-fragment pharmacology
- Adipocyte metabolism studies
- Cartilage repair preclinical models
Form & storage
AOD-9604 ships as a sealed, lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder. Water-soluble; reconstitutes in bacteriostatic water. Store sealed, light-protected, and follow your institution’s handling procedures for research materials.
Frequently asked questions
What is AOD-9604?
AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide derived from the C-terminal lipolytic fragment of human growth hormone, with an additional tyrosine residue at the N-terminus added for stability. It represents one of the most-studied "fragment-of-hormone" approaches in metabolic research. Merit supplies it as a lyophilized research compound for research use only — not for human or veterinary use.
How does AOD-9604 work?
Reported to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis in adipocyte models. The mechanism is proposed to be independent of the canonical GH receptor pathway; specific receptor targets remain incompletely characterized in the public literature. Mechanistic descriptions summarize published preclinical findings and are not clinical claims.
What is the half-life of AOD-9604?
~3 hr (preclinical pharmacokinetic data). Values reflect preclinical or research-context reports, not clinical pharmacokinetics.
Is Merit AOD-9604 for human use?
No. It is sold strictly for research use only — not for human or veterinary use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Every batch is tested before it is listed, and its certificate of analysis documenting ≥99% HPLC purity is published in the COA library.
References
- The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta3-AR knock-out mice. Heffernan M, Summers RJ, Thorburn A, et al.. Endocrinology, 2001 · doi:10.1210/en.142.12.5182
- Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone. Ng FM, Sun J, Sharma L, et al.. Hormone Research, 2000 · PMID 11146367
- 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, et al.. International Journal of Obesity, 2001 · doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0801740
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not FDA-approved. Reference information summarized from published literature — not medical or dosing advice.