Description of AOD-9604
A synthetically produced peptide AOD-9604 consists of 15 amino acids. It is derived fragment of human growth hormone (fragment 176-191) known mainly for its lipolytic qualities, which in research have been associated with the stimulation of body fat metabolism without the negative side effects mainly reported with common weight loss drugs. Study has shown that it has a very good tolerability and safety, thus the immune system does not form any antibodies against the AOD-9604 peptide. Another observation from research is that blood sugar levels appear to be unaffected. However, several studies have also shown that chronic treatment with AOD-9604 had no adverse effect on insulin sensitivity of researched animals. So, the peptide does not appear to affect IGF-1 or insulin levels at all.
Now we would like to bring you closer to the effects of the peptide, which have been researched and confirmed in studies.
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Overview of Published Research
1. AOD-9604 in Obesity Problems and Fat Burning
AOD-9604 as a lipolytic fragment of HGH was developed and thereafter studied most of all for its effective fat burning functions and as a potential anti-obesity drug. Demonstration of these qualities was realized by several clinical studies both in animals and humans. Obese rats, which were treated by AOD-9604 for 19 days reduced their body weight over 50% and the lipolytic activity of their adipose tissues increased.
Another research in mice was studying treatment effects of human GH and AOD-9604 in weight loss for 14 days. One mechanism which could lead to these properties was suggested to be the binding of beta-3-adrenergic receptors located on white fat and thus increasing the rate of metabolism in fat cells. Even the peptide can increase the expression of the major lipolytic fat cells receptor this probably has only some secondary function in fat loosing. Study showed that even mice lacking these receptors showed fat loss after administration of AOD-9604.
Most obesity drugs may suppress appetite or food absorption, but only few actually stimulate fat metabolism like the peptide AOD-9604, which has also been tested as an obesity drug in humans. Clinical trials testing the drug on 300 obese patients in Australia once a day for 12 weeks tripled the weight loss compared to a placebo. It was also shown that the rate of weight loss remained stable during the trial period. The patients used six different doses– 0 mg (placebo), 1mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg and 30 mg. Finally the weight lost by the group of 1mg dose was slightly more than that achieved by the world’s largest selling prescription obesity medication in similar trials over the same period, without its troublesome side effects.
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2. AOD-9604 in Joint Function and Pain Research
Another area that has been researched in connection with AOD-9604 is the matter of joint function and pain relief. The research study carried out this time in rats assumed the application of AOD-9604 injections directly into the arthritic joints of the animals. The conclusion was that injections using ultrasound guidance inhanced cartilage regeneration, and combined AOD-9604 plus hyauloronic acid (HA) injections were much more effective. The effect of AOD-9604 on the underlying mechanisms of osteoarthritis was demonstrated by changes in the gross clinical examination as well as changes in the microscopic structure of the cartilage in the affected joints. These findings suggest AOD-9604 may be of interest in research not only for addressing existing damage, but also in the context of prevention. And while it showed activity on its own, the observed effect appeared greater when combined with another compound such as HA. Further research on the peptide may thus reveal new pathways related to cartilage growth and regeneration.
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3. Heart Disease and AOD-9604
Reducing body fat and weight is directly related to reducing the risk of heart disease. On this basis, AOD-9604 may have effects relevant to heart function in addition to its effects on fat metabolism. Some evidence suggests that AOD-9604 may have effects on the heart even beyond its capacity to reduce fat burden. It has been proposed that this peptide may directly affect metabolism and reduce associated complications independent of its effects on obesity.
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References
- F. M. Ng, J. Sun, L. Sharma, R. Libinaka, W. J. Jiang, and R. Gianello, “Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone,” Horm. Res., vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 274–278, 2000.
- H. Stier, E. Vos, and D. Kenley, “Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans,” J. Endocrinol. Metab., vol. 3, no. 1–2, pp. 7-15–15, Apr. 2013. [Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism]
- “Obesity drug codenamed AOD9604 highly successful in trials,” News-Medical.net, 16-Dec-2004. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: 24-May-2019].
- M. Heffernan et al., “The Effects of Human GH and Its Lipolytic Fragment (AOD9604) on Lipid Metabolism Following Chronic Treatment in Obese Mice andβ 3-AR Knock-Out Mice,” Endocrinology, vol. 142, no. 12, pp. 5182–5189, Dec. 2001.
- D. R. Kwon and G. Y. Park, “Effect of Intra-articular 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.
- 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.
