AOD-9604 is a synthetic fragment of human growth hormone (hGH 176-191) that reproduces specifically the lipolytic portion of the molecule, without showing the growth-promoting or blood-glucose effects of full-length hGH. It is used in preclinical research to study fat-cell mobilisation in a targeted way.

How does AOD-9604 differ from Retatrutide?

AOD-9604 acts directly at the adipocyte (β3-adrenergic activation of hormone-sensitive lipase) and influences neither appetite nor the incretin axis. Retatrutide, by contrast, is a GLP-1 / GIP / glucagon triple agonist that acts systemically via appetite, gastric emptying and energy expenditure. AOD-9604 is therefore narrowly lipolytic, while Retatrutide is broadly metabolic.

How is AOD-9604 stored and reconstituted?

Store lyophilised AOD-9604 at -20 °C in its original packaging. For reconstitution, add bacteriostatic water slowly along the inner wall of the vial, do not spray directly onto the lyo cake and do not shake. The reconstituted solution should be kept at 2-8 °C and used according to the manufacturer instructions.

What purity and testing back your AOD-9604?

Every batch is independently tested by Janoshik Analytical via HPLC for identity and purity (>=98 %). The Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is openly available on each batch product page and contains purity data, measurement date and batch number.

Buy AOD-9604 - Janoshik-Tested, DHL EU Shipping

Name: AOD-9604
Brand: PeptidesDirect
SKU: PD-AOD-9604-5MG
Availability: InStock

Targets stored fat

AOD-9604 is studied for breaking down stored triglycerides in fat cells, the process called lipolysis, without touching the muscle-building side of growth hormone.

Beta-3 adrenergic pathway

Mouse studies show the peptide raises expression of beta-3 adrenergic receptors, the main lipolytic receptors on fat cells, helping fat tissue respond more strongly to fat-burning signals.

No growth-hormone effects

The fragment keeps the fat-mobilizing tail of human growth hormone but drops the parts that drive blood sugar, IGF-1, or tissue overgrowth in research models.

Energy expenditure

In animal work, acute dosing increased fat oxidation and energy use, suggesting research interest in metabolic syndrome and fatty-tissue models.

Cartilage repair signal

Joint-injection studies in rabbits with induced osteoarthritis report better cartilage scores and shorter lameness, especially when paired with hyaluronic acid.

Phase 2b clinical outcome

Completed Phase 2 obesity trials in Australia. The Phase 2b trial (n=536, 24 weeks) did not reach its weight-loss endpoint versus placebo, and Metabolic Pharmaceuticals discontinued obesity development in 2007. The side-effect profile was reported as broadly comparable to placebo, with no treatment-related serious adverse events.

Research areas

Lipolysis & fat metabolismBeta-3 adrenergic signalingMetabolic syndromeCartilage & osteoarthritisEnergy expenditure

What is AOD-9604

AOD-9604 is a short modified fragment of human growth hormone, a 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal region of human growth hormone (residues 177-191) with an N-terminal tyrosine. It was developed at Monash University in Australia and taken through clinical work in the early 2000s as an obesity research candidate.

The original idea was simple. Growth hormone has two very different jobs: it builds tissue and it mobilizes fat. The Monash team wanted to know whether the fat-burning half could be isolated from the rest. AOD-9604 is the result of that effort, supplied as lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.

How it works

Two mechanisms come up again and again in the literature.

The first is direct lipolysis. AOD-9604 stimulates fat cells to release stored triglycerides and increases fat oxidation in animal experiments. Acute dosing raises whole-body energy expenditure even in mice that lack the beta-3 adrenergic receptor, which means part of the effect runs through other pathways.

The second is beta-3 receptor expression. With longer dosing, the peptide raises the level of beta-3 adrenergic receptor RNA in fat tissue. Beta-3 receptors are the main lipolytic switch on fat cells, and obese mice tend to have them suppressed. Bringing those receptors back toward normal levels appears to be one way the fragment improves how fat tissue responds to fat-burning signals.

What it does not do, in the published animal data, is push the growth-hormone side of the molecule. There is no rise in blood sugar, no IGF-1 spike, and no tissue overgrowth at the doses studied. That is the entire point of the fragment design.

Beyond fat metabolism, a separate line of research looks at joint cartilage. Rabbit studies of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis report that intra-articular AOD-9604 injections improved cartilage histology and reduced lameness, with the strongest effect when combined with hyaluronic acid. This work has put the peptide on the radar of orthopaedic peptide reviews as a candidate for cartilage repair research.

Often studied alongside

In metabolic-syndrome research, AOD-9604 is most often discussed next to other peptides that act on fat tissue or appetite from a different angle. Retatrutide hits the GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors, which is a complementary mechanism to the lipolytic fragment.

Triple-agonist studied for metabolic syndrome and adiposity

Retatrutidemetabolic

First-ever triple-action weight management peptide targeting three receptors at once: GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon. Shown exceptional results in Phase 2 trials - up to 24% weight reduction. The most advanced metabolic peptide available.

MOTS-c is the other common pairing in laboratory work on energy metabolism, since it acts on mitochondrial pathways and insulin sensitivity rather than on adrenergic receptors.

Mitochondrial peptide for energy-metabolism research

MOTS-clongevity

Mitochondrial-derived signaling peptide (16 amino acids) that mimics the effects of exercise at the cellular level. Activates AMPK, improves glucose uptake, and enhances fat metabolism - a key tool in metabolic and longevity research.

For reconstitution, the standard solvent in published protocols is bacteriostatic or sterile water.

Standard solvent for reconstitution

Bacteriostatic Wateraccessories

USP-grade sterile water with 0.9% benzyl alcohol - the standard solvent for reconstituting lyophilized peptides. Essential accessory for any peptide research. Each vial is sealed and ready to use.

Documentation

Material specification

Purity

≥98% (HPLC verified)

Test method

HPLC + mass spectrometry

Form

Lyophilized powder

Storage (sealed)

2 to 8 °C, light-protected

Storage (reconstituted)

2 to 8 °C, use within 4 weeks

CoA

Batch-specific, third-party (Janoshik)

Lab Report (COA)

Batch NumberYellow (5mg)

Purity99.55%

Testing LabJanoshik

Test Date9 Dec 2025

Download COA

Selected research

Research use only

This material is sold strictly for in-vitro research and laboratory use. Not intended for human or animal consumption, medical, cosmetic, or household applications. Suitable only for professional laboratory environments.