The tail end of the growth hormone molecule, marketed as a fat-loss peptide. The one well-designed human trial of its clinical analogue found no weight-loss benefit over placebo.
Growth hormone has a fat-burning effect and a separate blood-sugar-raising effect, and researchers found these appear to come from different parts of the molecule. Residues 176 to 191 are the fat-mobilising end. The hope was that the fragment alone would break down fat without the metabolic downsides of full growth hormone. In rodents it does increase fat breakdown. In the human trial of the stabilised version of this fragment, it did not produce more weight loss than placebo.
A 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of human growth hormone (hGH 177-191 plus an N-terminal tyrosine in the AOD-9604 analogue). Proposed to stimulate lipolysis and inhibit lipogenesis in adipocytes through beta-3 adrenergic receptor-associated pathways without activating the GH receptor, and therefore without IGF-1 elevation or insulin resistance. Rodent data show reduced adiposity in obese models. The clinical analogue AOD-9604 completed a 12-week phase 2b obesity trial and failed to separate from placebo on weight loss, which is the most informative human evidence available for this fragment.
Research areas
Community-specified data
Source note: AM Fasted
Not medical guidance. These third-party figures have not been independently verified, clinically reviewed, or endorsed by DB Peptide. They may be inaccurate or unsafe and should not replace product labelling or advice from a qualified clinician.
Every protocol below is reproduced from a published study or approved labelling, with its source named. These are records of what was studied — not recommendations, and not a suggestion that any of them is appropriate for any person.
| Protocol as reported | Source |
|---|---|
| Oral AOD-9604 at 1 mg daily for 12 weeks in the phase 2b obesity trialNo significant weight loss versus placebo. This is the closest thing to human evidence for the fragment. | Metabolic Pharmaceuticals phase 2b programme |
| Intraperitoneal and subcutaneous dosing in obese rodent models, microgram-per-animal range | Heffernan et al., Endocrinology 2001 |
The fragment itself has no registered human efficacy trials. Its analogue AOD-9604 completed phase 2b in obesity and did not meet its endpoint.
The best available human test is the phase 2b trial of AOD-9604, the stabilised version of this fragment, which found no significant weight loss compared with placebo over 12 weeks. Rodent data is more positive, but rodent adipose pharmacology is a poor guide here.
AOD-9604 is this fragment with an extra tyrosine added at the N-terminus to improve stability. They are close relatives, which is why the failed AOD-9604 trial is the most relevant human evidence for both.
Medical disclaimer
This page is for informational and research purposes only. Nothing here constitutes medical advice. The compounds discussed are research chemicals. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any protocol.
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