If you have been reading about synthetic peptide and want a single page that covers the useful parts, this is it: definitions, context, how it is studied, and the questions that come up repeatedly.
Last reviewed on 2026-07-13. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide whose sequence is modeled on the C-terminal region of human growth hormone. Published descriptions commonly place it as a modified fragment corresponding to hGH amino acids 176–191, with a tyrosine residue added or retained at the N-terminus to support detection and handling. It is not intact growth hormone and lacks the full receptor-binding architecture of the parent protein. The molecule was developed as a research candidate for metabolic studies rather than as a replacement for growth hormone therapy. Its identity is defined by its amino acid sequence rather than by any single commercial preparation.
AOD-9604 drew attention in the 1990s and 2000s as a potential anti-obesity agent. Early work explored both injectable and oral routes, which is unusual for a peptide of this size. Animal studies reported changes in fat metabolism without the growth-promoting or insulin-like effects associated with full-length growth hormone. Subsequent human trials produced mixed or modest results, and the compound did not obtain regulatory approval for weight management in major markets. It remains known mainly through research literature, sports anti-doping listings, and non-approved supplement advertising.
Clinical development of AOD-9604 included trials in people with obesity. Reports from early-phase and mid-phase studies described modest or inconsistent changes in body weight. A phase IIb program did not meet its primary endpoint, and the compound was not approved for medical use. Differences in formulation, delivery route, and participant characteristics may explain some of the variation. Later investigations explored whether the peptide might have effects in other tissues, including cartilage.
Regulatory treatment of AOD-9604 is shaped by its classification as a peptide hormone. The World Anti-Doping Agency lists it as a prohibited substance, and many national anti-doping organizations adopt that list. It does not hold approval as a prescription medicine in the United States, the European Union, or other major markets. Products sold online are frequently labeled for research use only and may not undergo independent quality testing. Import and possession rules differ by country, so legal status depends on local law.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular class | Synthetic peptide | Fragment analog of human growth hormone |
| Sequence basis | hGH 176–191 region | Modified C-terminal fragment |
| Common synonyms | AOD-9604; AOD9604; hGH fragment | Research and trade names vary |
| Regulatory status | Not approved as a drug | Prohibited in competitive sport |
| Research code | AOD9604 | Used in scientific and patent literature |
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide that corresponds to a short section of human growth hormone. It is commonly identified as hGH fragment 176-191 because its sequence matches residues at the C-terminal end of the hormone. The molecule contains sixteen amino acids and is made by solid-phase peptide synthesis. Researchers study it for metabolic effects rather than for the growth-promoting actions associated with full human growth hormone. Its small size distinguishes it from the complete 191-amino-acid hormone.
Several names appear in scientific and commercial settings. AOD9604 and AOD-9604 are development codes used interchangeably, while hGH fragment 176-191 describes the same region. The peptide includes a disulfide bond between two cysteine residues, which helps shape its three-dimensional structure. Different suppliers may provide acetate or other salt forms, and purity can vary. These differences matter because analytical tests and biological assays can respond to the specific form being studied.
Early interest in AOD-9604 centered on whether a fragment of human growth hormone could influence fat metabolism without the broader effects of the full hormone. Cell and animal studies reported changes in fat storage and breakdown. Human trials followed, but the results were not strong enough to secure regulatory approval. The compound remains available for laboratory research, and its clinical potential is still described as uncertain. Studies continue to examine its activity and safety profile.
AOD-9604 is listed as a prohibited substance in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency. It falls under the peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics class on the prohibited list. Anti-doping organizations treat its presence in an athlete's sample as an adverse finding unless a therapeutic use exemption applies. The prohibition reflects concerns about performance enhancement in competitive settings and the difficulty of distinguishing exogenous peptide use from endogenous hormone fragments.
Detection of AOD-9604 in biological samples relies on analytical techniques capable of distinguishing a small synthetic peptide from related endogenous sequences. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry is commonly used for confirmatory analysis. Sample preparation may involve immunoaffinity enrichment or solid-phase extraction to concentrate the peptide. Because the molecule is small and may be present at low concentrations, assay sensitivity and specificity are ongoing analytical challenges. Laboratories also validate methods against reference materials when available.
Regulatory interest in AOD-9604 increased after high-profile anti-doping cases involving peptide products. In some cases, the substance was supplied under alternative names or in compounded preparations, complicating traceability. Sports tribunals and anti-doping panels have discussed whether the peptide was explicitly banned at the time of use, leading to clarifications by the World Anti-Doping Agency. For consumers and researchers, the legal status can vary by jurisdiction, and products marketed as research chemicals may lack independent quality verification.
=== 14 May === Two people were killed by Russian shelling in the Vovchansk area. Russian state media reported that a drone strike derailed a freight train at Kotluban station in Volgograd Oblast. A storage tank carrying diesel caught fire, another exploded and nine rail cars were derailed. Russian Railways said the derailment was a result of "interference by unauthorised persons". No injuries were reported. At least 20 people were injured and fires erupted after a series of Russian airstrikes using new UMPB D-30 glide bombs on residential areas of Kharkiv. French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu announced another batch of Aster surface-to-air missiles for the Franco-Italian SAMP/T-MAMBA air defenses defending Kyiv.
Fellowship of the Australian Academy of Science is made up of about 500 Australian scientists. Scientists judged by their peers to have made an exceptional contribution to knowledge in their field may be elected to Fellowship of the Academy. Fellows are often denoted using the post-nominal FAA (Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science). A small number of distinguished foreign scientists with substantial connections to Australian science are elected as Corresponding Members. Fellows are appointed for life; this table also contains deceased fellows.
=== Brain === The brain parenchyma refers to the functional tissue in the brain that is made up of the two types of brain cell, neurons and glial cells. It is also known to contain collagen proteins. Damage or trauma to the brain parenchyma often results in a loss of cognitive ability or even death. Bleeding into the parenchyma is known as intraparenchymal hemorrhage.
==== Adherence ==== Poor compliance with medications and follow-up visits are a major reason for treatment failure and disease progression in glaucoma patients. Poor adherence could lead to increased complication rates, thus increasing the need for non-pharmacological interventions, including surgery. Patient education and communication must be ongoing to sustain successful treatment plans for this lifelong disease with no early symptoms.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
== Diagnosis == Diagnosing autoimmune disorders can be complex due to the wide range of diseases within this category and their often overlapping symptoms. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for determining appropriate treatment strategies. Generally, the diagnostic process involves a combination of medical history evaluation, physical examination, laboratory tests, and, in some cases, imaging or biopsies.
==== Effect on gene expression ==== Differing mechanical properties in ECM exert effects on both cell behaviour and gene expression. Although the mechanism by which this is done has not been thoroughly explained, adhesion complexes and the actin-myosin cytoskeleton, whose contractile forces are transmitted through transcellular structures are thought to play key roles in the yet to be discovered molecular pathways.
=== HANAC syndrome === Mutations in COL4A1 exons 24 and 25 are associated with HANAC (autosomal dominant hereditary angiopathy with nephropathy, aneurysms, and muscle cramps). It has also been confirmed that mutations in the COL4A1 gene occur in some patients with porencephaly and schizencephaly.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
. This is consistent with a normal kinetic isotope effect in which the product is slightly depleted in a heavy isotope relative to the reactant. If the isotope effect is small, as is typical for C and N,
where ∆(APB) is the area of triangle APB. Denote the segments that the diagonal intersection P divides diagonal AC into as AP = p1 and PC = p2, and similarly P divides diagonal BD into segments BP = q1 and PD = q2. Then the quadrilateral is tangential if and only if any one of the following equalities are true:
=== Sites for infusion sets === Infusion sets are most commonly placed on the abdomen, in a roughly semicircular area around and below the navel. Other sites include the upper leg, upper buttocks, hips, upper arms and lower back. Insulin absorption may vary from site to site, and therefore medical advice is required.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No. It is a synthetic peptide fragment modeled on part of human growth hormone, not the full hormone. It does not contain the complete sequence or receptor-binding regions of hGH.
It was investigated in clinical trials for obesity, but it did not receive approval for that use in major markets. Results were generally modest or mixed, and it remains an experimental compound.
WADA lists it as a prohibited peptide hormone. Its use can be detected by laboratory methods, and athletes are subject to sanctions if it is found in samples.
No. Major drug regulators have not approved AOD-9604 for weight loss or any other therapeutic indication. It remains an investigational compound studied in research settings.