Description
Guide to AOD 9604 Peptide
As the name suggests, the Anti-Obesity Drug (AOD) 9604 peptide, also known as AOD 9604, was developed as a fat-fighting protein, a synthetic analog of a human hormone to treat obesity and aid people trying to lose weight. A small portion of the human body’s naturally occurring growth hormone stimulates fat metabolism, thereby burning excess body fat. However, this small portion is suppressed in obese people. Anti-Obesity Drug (AOD) 9604 peptide is a modified human growth hormone where the last 15 amino acids (177-191) have been reproduced as a specific peptide, called GH Frag 177-191 or simply AOD 9604. It consists of amino acids 177-191 and a tyrosine residue to the C-terminus. (1) AOD 9604 aims to fight obesity by inducing a faster metabolism rate rather than artificially reducing appetite and food absorption, unlike other anti-obesity therapies.
Researchers have been exploring numerous novel medications and alternatives to fight growing obesity problems, and peptides like AOD 9604 may potentially mitigate and reduce the build-up of body fat and help maintain ideal adult Body Mass Index (BMI) levels. With over 50% of adults in developed countries being overweight, obesity has become one of the major health concerns worldwide. And yet, there is a scarcity of available and effective medications today to combat the problem. Today’s increasingly sedentary lifestyle has made it difficult to balance consumed and burned calories. In addition, as people age, a variety of natural hormones and peptide levels begin to decline, leading to issues such as weight gain and decreased energy level.
AOD 9604 Peptide Overview
In the 1990s, the researcher Professor Frank Ng of Monash University in Australia discovered the AOD 9604 peptide in an effort to develop medications which exhibit anti-obesity properties similar to the Human Growth Hormone (hGH) but with no side effects. Rigorous scientific studies and experiments have since been conducted to determine the effects of AOD 9604 in increasing metabolism rate, loss of fat, lipolysis (breaking down of human fat), and high plasma glycerol, which have been discussed in detail below. AOD 9604 is the synthetic fragment of Human Growth Hormone (hGH) which has been researched for its potential to stimulate the pituitary gland to speed up metabolism rates and shed excess weight within a short frame of time. The AOD 9604 peptide appears to work by inducing lipolysis and anti-lipogenesis (inhibition of fat generation) via oxidation mechanism, which can be independent of hGH receptor. (1) This peptide has been suggested to induce weight loss with no impact to food intake or appetite and no adverse impact to insulin sensitivity. Multiple studies have indicated that AOD 9604 may trigger fat release from the obese cells and works on reducing the new fat build up and stores in body. As a result of widespread laboratory and research studies, the suggested benefits of this peptide are summarized below:
- May decrease body fat and help reduce abdominal fat
- May trigger fat burn out from obese fat cells
- May imitate the mechanism of the natural growth hormone in regulating fat metabolism
- May induce lipolysis and prevents lipogenesis
- May not impact lean muscle mass
- May not induce higher food intake (no impact to appetite)
- May not induce changes to the insulin sensitivity or IGF-1 levels
- May host regenerative and cartilage repair properties, similar to the natural growth hormone
Scientists and researchers have reported that the modified portion of the hGH in the AOD-9604 peptide may be responsible for significantly inducing the fat burning process, while simultaneously also not stimulating the production of Insulin-like Growth Factor IGF 1, different than the natural human growth hormone. Additionally, high levels of IGF 1 may cause damage to joints, heart, and liver, in addition to impacting the blood glucose levels. With AOD 9604 apparently not promoting synthesis of IGF 1, all these potential harmful effects pertaining to IGF 1 may be avoided – which is why AOD-9604 may potentially help in certain diseases such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, worn cartilage and bone damage. No changes to insulin sensitivity have proven to be a key advantage of AOD 9604, which is highly unlikely with other anti-obesity medications.
Research and Clinical Studies
AOD 9604 Peptide Chronic Use and Lipolytic Activity
Early clinical studies were carried out on obese mice where the AOD 9604 peptide was chronically administered for 14 days. Following the experiment, the results reported reduction in body weight and excess fat. These results were directly correlated with the increased levels of major lipolytic receptors called ß3-AR cells found in the fat cells. AOD 9604 peptide has appeared to exhibit effects similar to hGH where both are capable to increase the repressed levels of lipolytic receptors in obese mice as compared to the lean mice. To confirm whether the lipolytic effects of AOD 9604 were merely associated with the increased lipolytic receptor levels, additional studies were carried out where AOD 9604 was administered to mice with knocked out lipolytic receptors. Interestingly, AOD 9604 was reported to be apparently effective in this case as well. Further analysis suggested that the AOD 9604 peptide enacted the lipolytic effects via increased energy expenditure and fat oxidation. Thus, it was concluded that AOD 9604 may be effective in fat reduction irrespective of the receptors, though these studies have shown AOD 9604 peptides to increase the lipolytic receptor expression. (1) Both these findings on chronic and acute use of AOD 9604 illustrated that while enhanced ß3-AR expression played a vital role in the chronic effectiveness of the compound, ß3-AR was not the sole arbiter in this reaction. Oxidation and enhanced energy expenditure appeared to be vital in the apparent efficacy of the peptide.
In 2000, a research study was carried out in obese Zucker rats where the AOD 9604 peptide was administered daily for 19 consecutive days. Post treatment, it was reported that the body weight appeared to be reduced in all rats by over 50% in comparison to the rats treated with placebo. Further analysis suggested that the adipose tissues of the AOD 9604 peptide treated animals had increased lipolytic activity and there was no adverse impact on the insulin sensitivity of the animals.
AOD 9604 Peptide and Obesity
In 2004, Metabolic Pharmaceuticals Limited conducted clinical trials where 300 obese patients were given the peptide for a 12-week period. Five gradually increasing dosages were used, alongside a placebo. Out of all, the group administered with the lowest dose showed the best results, with an average weight loss of 2.8 kilograms over the 12 week period. The rate of weight loss remained consistent throughout the treatment period. The trial results noted minor improvement exhibited in the patients’ cholesterol profiles and glucose tolerance levels. This suggested the peptide’s promise in long-term dosing therapies for lowering and sustaining weight. (4)
AOD 9604 Peptide and Cell Regeneration
Additional research was conducted to study the regenerative effects of the peptide. In 2015, 32 white rabbits were divided into four groups of eight and each group was administered with a placebo, AOD 9604, hyaluronic acid, or a combination of both AOD 9604 and hyaluronic acid for a period of 4 to 7 weeks. After treatment, these rabbits were assessed morphologically and histopathologically to determine the degree of cartilage degeneration. It was concluded that rabbits treated with the combination dose of AOD 9604 with hyaluronic acid apparently exhibited the least degeneration. Thus, it was suggested that AOD 9604 has potential to enhance cartilage regeneration and cartilage repair in some capacity. (3) Multiple clinical studies in humans have further suggested that the peptide may significantly induce lipolysis and prevent lipogenesis by mimicking the natural hGH that regulates the body fat without the unwanted side effects on blood sugar and insulin levels. Additionally, this peptide has been reported to exhibit potential in cell repair, and bone and cartilage regeneration.
AOD 9604 Safety Profile
Research and clinical studies of the peptide have suggested the peptide’s strong safety, efficacy, and tolerability profile, and any significant or toxic side effects. However, considering not all individuals are built with the same profile, there are some potential side effects in sensitive subjects, as mentioned below:
- Possible pain, swelling, and redness at the administration site
- Possible headaches
- Possible hypersomnia
- Possible palpitations of fatigue
- Possible euphoria
- Possibel chest tightness
Typically, research has indicated the effects of the AOD 9604 peptide begin following 12 weeks of consistent use. However, the effects can also be seen early on with regular work out and following a strict calorie-deficit diet. In addition to this, there are other contributing factors which may also affect the duration such as personal health, family history, age and simultaneous use of other medications or supplements. For instance, one may biologically have a higher metabolism rate as compared to others and may see results faster, while the other may be genetically inclined to obesity and may see a slower response to the peptide.
AOD 9604 has not yet been approved for use in humans, and its full profile of effects, both beneficial and detrimental, have yet to be investigated and approved for use. In conclusion, the AOD 9604 peptide is not available for human consumption and can only be used for research purposes.
References:
1. Mark Heffernan, Roger J. Summers, Anne Thorburn, Esra Ogru, Robert Gianello, Woei-Jia Jiang, Frank M. Ng, The Effects of Human GH and Its Lipolytic Fragment (AOD 9604) on Lipid Metabolism Following Chronic Treatment in Obese Mice and β 3-AR Knock-Out Mice, Endocrinology, Volume 142, Issue 12, 1 December 2001, Pages 5182–5189. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11713213/
2. Frank M. Ng, J Sun et.al, Metabolic Studies of a Synthetic Lipolytic Domain (AOD 9604) of Human Growth Hormone, Hormone Research, February 2000.
3. Dong Rak Kwon and GI Young Park, Effect of Intra-articular Injection of AOD9604 with or without Hyaluronic Acid in Rabbit Osteoarthritis Model, Annals of Clinical and Laboratory Science, Volume 45, July-August 2015.
4. News, Medical and Life Sciences, Obesity drug codenamed AOD 9604 highly successful in trials, 16 December 2004.
NOTE: These products are intended for laboratory research use only. AOD 9604 for sale is not intended for personal use. Please review and adhere to our Terms and Conditions before ordering.
Dr. Marinov (MD, Ph.D.) is a researcher and chief assistant professor in Preventative Medicine & Public Health. Prior to his professorship, Dr. Marinov practiced preventative, evidence-based medicine with an emphasis on Nutrition and Dietetics. He is widely published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and specializes in peptide therapy research.