Description

AOD9604, a peptide fragment of human growth hormone, promotes fat loss, enhances metabolism, supports joint and cartilage repair, improves cardiovascular health, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, and supports bone health (PMID: 11713213, PMID: 11713213, PMID: 26275694, PMID: 16931496 ).

AOD9604, a peptide fragment derived from human growth hormone (HGH), offers several benefits, particularly in the context of weight management and metabolic health:

1. Fat Loss: AOD9604 stimulates lipolysis, the breakdown of fats, and inhibits lipogenesis, the formation of new fat. This makes it effective in reducing body fat and aiding weight loss​ (PMID: 11713213)​.
2. Improved Metabolic Profile: It enhances metabolism, potentially increasing the body’s ability to burn calories and fat more efficiently​ (PMID: 11713213)​.
3. Joint and Cartilage Repair: AOD9604 has shown promise in supporting joint and cartilage repair, which could be beneficial for individuals with osteoarthritis or other joint issues​ (PMID: 26275694)​.
4. Cardiovascular Health: There is evidence that AOD9604 can have positive effects on cardiovascular health, including improved heart function and potentially reducing blood pressure​ (PMID: 16931496)​.
5. Bone Health: AOD9604 may support bone health by improving bone mineral density, which is important for preventing conditions like osteoporosis​ (PMID: 26275694)​.

Structure

Source: PubChem

Sequence: Tyr-Leu-Arg-lle-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser­Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe Disulfide bridge Cys7-Cys15
Molecular Formula: C78H123N23O23S2 Molecular Weight: 1815.12 g/mol
PubChem CID: 16131447
CAS Number: 386264-39-7

AOD9604 Research

1. AOD9604 and Obesity

AOD9604 was originally developed as an analogue of HGH with the express purpose of fighting fat. Phase 2b clinical trials were completed in Australia testing the drug in 300 obese individuals. The results of once daily administration of the peptide for 12 weeks showed that the drug tripled weight loss when compared to the placebo and that the rate of weight loss remained steady during the trial period[3],[4]. This latter fact indicates that resistance to the peptide is unlikely to arise and that longer-term treatment would result in even greater weight loss.

Research in mice that are genetically prone to obesity indicates that AOD9604 most likely does not work only by affecting the beta-3-adrenergic receptors found on white fat. It was originally speculated that the peptide bound in these receptors and increased the rate of metabolism in fat cells, shifting them from a storage mode to a usage mode. It turns out that even in mice that lack these receptors, fat loss takes place when AOD9604 is administered[5]. Though the beta-3-adrenergic receptor likely plays a role in fat loss secondary to AOD9604, at least one other mechanism must be in play as well. There is some thought that AOD9604 may indirectly activate apoptosis in white fat cells.

Body weight change in obese mice over 14-day treatment period with AOD9604 (squares), HGH (triangles), and placebo (circles).
Source: Oxford Academic

2. Joint Pain and Function

Research in rats indicates that injections of AOD9604 directly into arthritic joints can work in synergy with existing therapies to improve pain, reduce disability, and improve quality of life[6]. Changes in both gross clinical exam and microscopic structure of cartilage in the affected joints indicates that AOD9604 is effective in treating the root cause of osteoarthritis and may work as both a treatment and preventative. Though AOD9604 is effective in reducing joint dysfunction on its own, it works better in combination with other therapies. It isn’t clear how the synergy arises, but additional research using the peptide may reveal novel pathways for improving cartilage growth, a notoriously challenging clinical problem.

3. AOD9604 and Heart Disease

Though fat reduction and weight loss directly reduce the risk of heart disease, there is evidence to suggest that AOD9604 has beneficial effects on the heart beyond its ability to reduce fat burden. It is thought that the peptide may directly affect metabolism in such a way so as to reduce complications separate from its effects on obesity. This is not unheard of, as drugs like pioglitazone and acipimox both reduce metabolic complications without treating obesity at all. It is thought that the secondary pathway by which AOD9604 causes fat loss, the pathway that is independent of beta-3-adrenergic receptor activation, may play a role in improving metabolic metrics even while it boosts fat loss[7].

AOD9604 exhibits minimal side effects, high oral and excellent subcutaneous bioavailability in mice. Per kg dosage in mice does not scale to humans. AOD9604 for sale at Life Link Research is limited to educational and scientific research only, not for human consumption.

Article Author

The above literature was researched, edited and organized by Dr. Logan, M.D. Dr. Logan holds a doctorate degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and a B.S. in molecular biology.

Scientific Journal Author

tier Heike studied biology and holds a PhD in Neurobiology (NMIReutlingen/ University of Hohenheim) and a Master in Bioinformatics (University of Applied Sciences-TFH-Berlin). She worked as a Post-Doc in several national and international Labs in Developmental Neurobiology (NMI-Reutlingen, School of Medicine – University of Utah) and in Bioinformatics {Institute of Bioinformatics – Charite, Berlin). Dr. Heike pioneered a study on the safety and tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans. In 2007, she joined A&R where she was responsible for the field of regulatory affairs of herbal medicinal products, with a broad knowledge of the adjacent product categories medical device and supplements. Dr. Heike Stier currently works in the field of regulatory affairs for herbal medicinal products at analyze & realize GmbH.

Stier Heike is being referenced as one of the leading scientists involved in the research and development of AOD9604. In no way is this doctor/scientist endorsing or advocating the purchase, sale, or use of this product for any reason. There is no affiliation or relationship, implied or otherwise, between Life Link Research and this doctor. The purpose of citing the doctor is to acknowledge, recognize, and credit the exhaustive research and development efforts conducted by the scientists studying this peptide. Dr. Heike is listed in [8] under the referenced citations.

Referenced Citations

1. F. M. Nq, J. Sun, L. Sharma, R. Libinaka, W. J. Jiang, and R. Gianello, “Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone,” Harm. Res., vol. 53, no. 6,pp.274-278, 2000. 

2. H. Stier, E. Vos, and D. Kenley, “Safe!}:’. and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans,” J. Endocrinol. Metab.1 vol. 3, no. 1-2, RR- 7-15-15, Apr. 2013. [Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism] 

3. “Obesity  drug codenamed AOD9604 highly successful in trials,” News-Medical.net, 16- Dec-2004. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: 24- May-2019]. 

4. R. Zieba, “[Obesity: a review of currently used antiobesity. drugs and new compounds in clinical development],” Postepy Hig. Med. Doswiadczalnej Online, vol. 61, pp- 612-626, Oct. 2007. 

5. M. Heffernan et al., “The Effects of Human GH and Its Lipolytic Fragment (AOD9604) on Lipid Metabolism Following Chronic Treatment in Obese Mice and 3-AR Knock­out Mice,” Endocrinology, vol. 142, no. 12, pp. 5182-5189, Dec. 2001. 

6. D. R. Kwon and G. Y. Park, “Effect of Intra­articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model,” Ann. Clin. Lab. Sci., vol. 45, no. 4, pp 426-432, Jul. 2015.

7. M. D. Jensen, “Potential role of new therapies in modifying cardiovascular risk in overweight patients with metabolic risk factors,” Obes. Silver Spring Md, vol. 14 Suppl 3 pp. 143S- 149S, Jun. 2006. 

8. STIER, H.1 VOS, E.1 KENLEY, D .. Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, North America, 3, apr. 2013.