AOD-9604

What it is

AOD-9604 is a synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide modelled on the C-terminal end of human growth hormone (Tyr-hGH 177-191), developed as an oral anti-obesity candidate. It appears in rodent research on fat metabolism and in one rabbit cartilage study. It is not an approved medicine in any major market.

How it works

Rodent studies propose that it stimulates lipolysis and fat oxidation without binding the growth hormone receptor, and it was reported to restore beta-3 adrenergic receptor RNA levels in obese mice. Unlike full-length growth hormone, it did not raise blood glucose or drive cell proliferation in those models; the mechanism has not been established in humans.

Regulatory status

1. Cosmetic ingredient
2. Research compound
3. In clinical trials
4. Approved medicine

Not approved as a medicine by the FDA or the EMA. Some are registered in individual countries. Supplied for laboratory research only.

What published research is studying

• Body weight gain, fat oxidation, and lipolysis in obese mice and rats (preclinical)
• The role of beta-3 adrenergic receptors in its effects on fat metabolism (preclinical)
• Cartilage repair in a rabbit knee osteoarthritis model (preclinical)
• Safety, IGF-1 levels, and glucose tolerance in placebo-controlled human trials

Key findings

1. 01

   In obese ob/ob mice given AOD-9604 for 14 days, body weight gain fell while fat oxidation and plasma glycerol rose, and unlike full-length growth hormone it did not cause hyperglycaemia or compete for the growth hormone receptor (preclinical).

   Heffernan MA et al., Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001
2. 02

   In obese Zucker rats given oral AOD-9604 daily for 19 days, body weight gain was 15.8 g against 35.6 g in controls, a reduction of more than 50%, with no loss of insulin sensitivity on euglycaemic clamp testing (preclinical).

   Ng FM et al., Horm Res 2000
3. 03

   In obese mice, 14 days of AOD-9604 reduced body weight and body fat and restored beta-3 adrenergic receptor RNA to lean-mouse levels, while beta-3 receptor knockout mice showed no change in body weight or lipolysis with long-term administration (preclinical).

   Heffernan M et al., Endocrinology 2001
4. 04

   In a collagenase-induced knee osteoarthritis model in 32 rabbits, weekly intra-articular AOD-9604 gave lower cartilage degeneration scores than saline, and AOD-9604 combined with hyaluronic acid scored lower than either agent alone (preclinical).

   Kwon DR and Park GY, Ann Clin Lab Sci 2015
5. 05

   A summary of six randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials, coauthored by the developer, reported no change in serum IGF-1, no adverse effect on oral glucose tolerance, no anti-AOD-9604 antibodies, and no withdrawals or serious adverse events attributed to the peptide.

   Stier H et al., J Endocrinol Metab 2013

How strong is the evidence?

Common questions