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Peptides

What Is AOD-9604? A Research Overview

Explicit Research  ·  Research Compound Overview
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Research Use Only. AOD-9604 is sold by Explicit Research exclusively for laboratory and research purposes. This article summarizes published preclinical and experimental literature. It is not medical advice and does not constitute a recommendation for human use. All compounds are for in vitro and animal research only.

All information below describes the compound's chemical identity, laboratory handling, and the published research literature. It describes molecular targets and results in laboratory and animal models only — not effects in humans — and is not evidence of any human benefit.

What Is AOD-9604?

AOD-9604 (Anti-Obesity Drug 9604) is a synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (hGH), spanning residues 176–191 with an added tyrosine. It does not occur freely in nature; it is a synthetic analogue of the growth-hormone lipolytic domain, which has made it a common subject of preclinical laboratory investigation. Its structure includes two sulfur atoms forming an intramolecular disulfide bridge.

It is supplied as a reference compound for in vitro and animal research use only. The sections below summarize its chemical identity, laboratory handling, the molecular targets and model systems examined in the published literature, and the primary references — without describing outcomes, efficacy, or effects in humans.

Research Targets & Pathways

Published preclinical literature has examined AOD-9604 in relation to several molecular systems. These are pathway associations reported in laboratory and animal models; refer to the cited studies for methods and findings.

Model Systems Studied

AOD-9604 has been used as a test compound across a range of published preclinical model systems, primarily in rodents and in vitro cell assays. Refer to the cited literature for study designs, endpoints, and findings.

Note: the majority of mechanistic evidence for AOD-9604 derives from preclinical rodent and cell-culture models; human clinical replication of specific endpoints remains limited.

Molecular & Technical Profile

C78H123N23O23S2  |  MW 1815.12 g/mol  |  CAS 221231-10-3  |  Fragment: C-terminal hGH (176–191)

Storage, Reconstitution & Working Concentrations

Lyophilized storage−20°C, protected from light and moisture; reported stable up to ~24 months when stored correctly
Reconstituted storage2–8°C, use within ~28 days; avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles; aliquot prior to freezing if long-term storage is required
SolubilitySoluble in aqueous solutions (bacteriostatic water, sterile water for injection, PBS pH 7.4) up to ~5 mg/mL; not recommended in neat DMSO due to disulfide-bridge sensitivity
ReconstitutionEquilibrate vial to room temperature for 5–10 minutes; add solvent dropwise down the vial wall; swirl gently until dissolved — do not vortex; inspect for clarity before use
Stock solutionTypical stock 1–2 mg/mL in bacteriostatic water; dilute in sterile PBS (pH 7.4) or relevant physiological buffer for working concentrations
In vitro working range1–500 nM (adipocyte lipolysis assays, fat-oxidation pathway studies, 3T3-L1 differentiation models); confirm optimal concentration per cell system via dose-response
Animal model dosingSee cited literature for model-specific concentration ranges and administration protocols
Endotoxin<1 EU/mg (LAL assay); confirm lot-specific COA before use in sensitive cell systems

Storage, reconstitution, and working-concentration values are general laboratory guidance for in vitro and animal research; always confirm against the lot-specific Certificate of Analysis. Note: the majority of mechanistic evidence for AOD-9604 derives from preclinical rodent and cell-culture models, and human clinical replication of specific endpoints remains limited.

Current Research Status

As of the time of this writing, AOD-9604 has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for any human therapeutic use. The available evidence base is primarily preclinical, derived from rodent and in vitro models. Translation to human clinical contexts has not been established through controlled clinical trials. The research-grade material supplied by Explicit Research is a reference compound for laboratory research use only and is not an approved drug product. Ongoing research continues to characterize the compound's mechanistic profile and identify which experimental findings may have translational relevance.

Research FAQ

Is AOD-9604 approved for human use?

No. AOD-9604 has not been approved by the FDA for any human therapeutic use. The evidence base is preclinical (rodent and in vitro models), and the compound is supplied for laboratory research use only — not for human consumption.

What is AOD-9604's molecular formula and structure?

A synthetic peptide corresponding to the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone (residues 176–191) — molecular formula C78H123N23O23S2, MW 1815.12 g/mol, CAS 221231-10-3.

How is AOD-9604 stored and reconstituted?

Store lyophilized at −20°C, protected from light and moisture. Reconstitute in sterile or bacteriostatic water; store the reconstituted solution at 2–8°C for up to ~28 days and avoid repeated freeze–thaw.

What targets and model systems has AOD-9604 been studied in?

Preclinical work has examined lipolytic and hormone-sensitive lipase signaling, beta-3 adrenergic receptor and cAMP pathways, adipogenesis and PPAR-γ, and lipid metabolism, across isolated adipocyte assays, 3T3-L1 differentiation models, obese rodent and Zucker fatty rat models, and a rabbit cartilage model. Note the single-source caveat noted above.

Selected References

  1. Heffernan et al. — Metabolic characterization of synthetic lipolytic domain AOD9604 including pharmacokinetic profiling in rodent models — Horm Res, 2001.
  2. Ng et al. — Molecular and cellular actions of structural domain AOD9401 on lipid metabolism measured in Zucker fatty rat adipose tissue — J Mol Endocrinol, 2000.
  3. Ng et al. — Antilipogenic activity of synthetic C-terminal sequence 177-191 of human growth hormone measured in rat adipocyte assays — Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1993.
  4. Stanton et al. — Lipid metabolism parameters measured following oral administration of synthetic hGH C-terminal fragment in rodent models — Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, 2000.
  5. Heffernan et al. — Fat oxidation rates and body weight change measured in obese mice under chronic treatment with hGH or modified C-terminal fragment — Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord, 2001.
  6. Ng et al. — Free fatty acid release and hormone-sensitive lipase activity quantified in isolated rat adipocytes treated with hGH fragment analogues — J Mol Endocrinol, 2000.
  7. Ng et al. — Cumulative body weight gain and adipose tissue mass measured in obese mice following chronic treatment with synthetic hGH 177-191 peptide — Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1994.
  8. Ng et al. — Glucose transport rates measured in rat adipocytes following exposure to antilipogenic fragment of human growth hormone — Biochem Mol Biol Int, 1994.
  9. Heffernan et al. — Lipid metabolism endpoints measured in obese and beta(3)-AR knock-out mice following chronic hGH and AOD9604 treatment — Endocrinology, 2001.
  10. Heffernan et al. — Beta-adrenergic receptor mRNA expression levels measured in adipose tissue of obese mice before and after AOD9604 treatment — J Endocrinol, 2002.
  11. Heffernan et al. — Receptor upregulation quantified alongside cAMP signaling cascades in obese rodent adipose tissue following peptide treatment — J Endocrinol, 2005.
  12. Ng et al. — Adrenergic pathway activation and downstream lipase phosphorylation measured in rat adipocyte cell culture systems — Mol Cell Endocrinol, 2000.
  13. Zhao et al. — Preadipocyte proliferation and PPAR-gamma expression measured in 3T3-L1 cell differentiation assays with growth hormone fragment treatment — Growth Horm IGF Res, 2005.
  14. Moon et al. — Cartilage repair histology scores and synovial inflammation markers measured in rabbit osteoarthritis model following intra-articular AOD9604 injection with or without hyaluronic acid — Ann Clin Lab Sci, 2015.
  15. Ghosh et al. — Proteoglycan synthesis and collagen type II expression quantified in bovine cartilage explants and chondrocyte cultures treated with hGH fragment — Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 2009.