AOD-9604
Also referenced as: hGH fragment 176-191, AOD9604
A growth hormone fragment once developed for obesity, with disappointing human results.
- Evidence grade
- DPreclinical Research
Preclinical Research
- Regulatory status
- Not FDA Approved
Not approved as a drug. It has been reviewed in some jurisdictions as a food or cosmetic ingredient, which is a different regulatory question from therapeutic approval.
- Human data
- Limited
No registered clinical trials identified
- Last reviewed
- September 1, 2026
Overview
AOD-9604 corresponds to the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176–191), the region associated with fat metabolism rather than growth signalling.
The commercial narrative around AOD-9604 remains far more optimistic than its published clinical record.
Why It's Being Studied
- Whether the lipolytic portion of growth hormone can be isolated from its growth and glucose effects.
- Cartilage and joint research, where some later work has been directed.
Mechanism of Action
It reproduces the part of growth hormone thought to encourage fat breakdown, without the part that drives tissue growth.
The fragment is proposed to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis in adipocytes through beta-3 adrenergic receptor-associated pathways in rodent models, without affecting IGF-1 or insulin sensitivity. The human relevance of this mechanism is unresolved.
Research Areas & Routes Studied
- Fat metabolism
- Cartilage research
- Subcutaneous injection
- Oral (studied)
Evidence Summary
Animal work suggested lipolytic activity, but the human trials that were conducted did not demonstrate meaningful weight effects, and development for obesity was discontinued.
Human clinical evidence
- A randomised trial in obesity reported no clinically significant difference in body weight versus placebo.
Animal studies
- Rodent studies reported reduced body fat and altered lipid metabolism.
Anecdotal / community information
- Marketed heavily in wellness settings on the strength of preclinical findings rather than human results.
Reported Adverse Events in Research
- Reported as generally well tolerated in the trials conducted, which were small and short.
- No long-term safety data.
Limitations of Current Evidence
- Development for obesity was discontinued after unconvincing human efficacy.
- Claims made in consumer marketing are not supported by the published human record.
Why It Is Used
- Metabolic Health
Visceral Fat and Metabolic Markers
Not weight on a scale, but the fat around the organs — the compartment most strongly tied to metabolic risk.
Read the case study
Research References
- Randomised controlled trial
The effect of AOD9604 on body composition in obese subjects
- Main finding
- No significant weight reduction versus placebo.
- Animal study
Lipolytic activity of hGH fragment 176-191 in animal models