AOD-9604

A growth hormone fragment, hGH(176-191), reduces body fat and stimulates lipolysis in obese mice and rats^[1]

This preclinical study characterized the lipolytic and anti-lipogenic activity of the C-terminal GH fragment (residues 176-191), the sequence present in AOD-9604, using diet-induced obese mice and genetically obese Zucker rats. Daily subcutaneous injection of the fragment at 0.5-2 mg/kg for six weeks produced significant reductions in body weight and adipose tissue mass compared to vehicle-treated controls, without affecting lean mass or elevating blood glucose or IGF-1 concentrations. Fat pad lipolysis assays confirmed that the fragment activated hormone-sensitive lipase in visceral adipose tissue at concentrations that had no effect on GH receptor binding, establishing pharmacological separation from full-length GH.

Last verified: 2026-04-03

AOD-9604 modulates cartilage metabolism and demonstrates chondroprotective effects in an osteoarthritis model^[2]

Beyond its originally characterized lipolytic activity, this study investigated AOD-9604's effects on chondrocyte metabolism using human osteoarthritic cartilage explants and a rat surgical OA model. AOD-9604 at 1-10 uM inhibited IL-1beta-induced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-3 and MMP-13) production in chondrocytes and reduced aggrecan degradation as measured by ELISA. In the rat OA model, intra-articular injection of AOD-9604 reduced cartilage erosion scores and preserved glycosaminoglycan content compared to saline-injected controls at 12 weeks. These findings suggested potential research applications for AOD-9604 in joint research models distinct from its metabolic profile.

Last verified: 2026-04-03