A practical reference on AOD-9604: what it is, how it behaves, what the literature reports, and where the honest uncertainties sit.
This page was last updated on 2025-08-22 and is reviewed periodically as new material appears.
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.
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.
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 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.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regulatory status | Prohibited in sport | Listed by WADA under peptide hormones |
| WADA class | S2 | Peptide hormones, growth factors, related substances, and mimetics |
| Approved therapeutic use | Not established | Clinical research did not lead to broad marketing approval |
| Common detection method | LC-MS/MS | Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry |
| Sample preparation | Extraction and enrichment | Immunoaffinity or solid-phase extraction may be used |
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.
Proposed mechanisms for AOD-9604 focus on fat cells. Laboratory studies suggest the peptide can increase lipolysis, the breakdown of stored fat, and reduce lipogenesis, the formation of new fat. Unlike full human growth hormone, it does not appear to stimulate substantial IGF-1 production in the studies reported so far. Some evidence points to beta-adrenergic signaling, but the precise receptor targets and downstream pathways remain unresolved. The fragment is not thought to act through the classical growth hormone receptor.
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.
AOD-9604 is typically supplied as a lyophilized white to off-white powder. In this form, it is relatively stable when kept cool, dry, and protected from light. Common storage recommendations place it at −20 °C or below for long-term retention. Reconstituted solutions are less stable and are often kept at 2–8 °C for short periods. Freeze-thaw cycles should be minimized because they can promote aggregation or loss of peptide content. Vials are usually sealed under inert gas to reduce oxidation.
Identity and purity are commonly checked with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. RP-HPLC separates the peptide from related impurities and can estimate purity by peak area. Mass spectrometry confirms molecular mass and helps detect sequence variants or truncations. Some laboratories use amino acid analysis or peptide mapping for additional characterization. No single method proves biological activity; these techniques establish chemical identity and purity only. They also require suitable reference standards for confident comparison.
Commercial AOD-9604 may vary in purity, counterion content, and residual moisture. Certificates of analysis often report HPLC purity, mass confirmation, and appearance, but testing methods differ between suppliers. Independent verification is sometimes used because labeled content may not match actual peptide amount. Stability under different pH and temperature conditions is not fully standardized across studies. Researchers generally treat lyophilized material as the reference form for weighing and reconstitution. Moisture content can affect accurate mass measurement.
== Global Research Infrastructure == Widespread interest and funding for research on regenerative medicine has prompted institutions in the United States and around the world to establish departments and research institutes that specialize in regenerative medicine including: The Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine at Columbia University, the Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Stanford University, the Center for Regenerative and Nanomedicine at Northwestern University, the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and the British Heart Foundation Centers of Regenerative Medicine at the University of Oxford. In China, institutes dedicated to regenerative medicine are run by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, among others.
== History == Vosilasarm was developed by Radius Health in 2010. It was first described in the literature in 2011 in a paper detailing its design, synthesis, and preclinical characterization in vitro and in rats and monkeys. It was stated in this paper that phase 1 clinical studies of vosilasarm for treatment of severe weight loss due to cancer cachexia were being prepared. However, these studies were never completed or published and development for this indication was discontinued. Subsequently, vosilasarm was repurposed for the treatment of breast cancer.
NSW EPA QLD Health VIC Department of Health SA EPA TAS Department of Health WA Radiological Council NT Department of Health ACT Health and Community Services Directorate Under the ARPANS Act of 1998, the founding of ARPANSA also established the formation of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council, the Radiation Health Committee and the Nuclear Safety Committee. All of these groups consist of the CEO and an individual to represent the interests of the general public, as well as other specialty members. The functions of the Radiation Health and Safety Advisory Council include providing advice to the CEO, identifying emerging issues relating to radiation protection and nuclear safety and examine matters of community concern, among others. The members include: Two radiation control officers An individual nominated by the chief minister of the NT Eight other members The functions of the Radiation Health Committee include developing and reviewing national policies, codes, and standards for radiation protection, and to consult publicly on them, among others. The members include:
There are 21 known isotopes of sodium (11Na), ranging from 17Na to 39Na (except for 36Na and 38Na), and five isomers. 23Na is the only stable (and the only primordial) isotope, making sodium a monoisotopic (and mononuclidic) element. Sodium has two radioactive cosmogenic isotopes (22Na, with a half-life of 2.6019 years and 24Na, with a half-life of 14.956 hours). With the exception of those two isotopes, all other isotopes have half-lives under a minute, most under a second. Acute neutron radiation exposure (e.g., from a nuclear criticality accident) converts some of the stable 23Na in human blood plasma to 24Na. The neutron radiation dose absorbed by the patient can be assessed by measuring the concentration of the radioisotope. 22Na is a positron-emitting isotope with a relatively long half-life, about 2.6 years. It is used to create test-objects and point-sources for positron emission tomography.
Glibenclamide, also known as glyburide (U.S. English), is an antidiabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is recommended that it be taken together with diet and exercise. It may be used with other antidiabetic medication. It is not recommended for use by itself in type 1 diabetes. It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include nausea and heartburn. Serious side effects may include angioedema and low blood sugar. It is generally not recommended during pregnancy but can be used during breastfeeding. It is in the sulfonylureas class of medications and works by increasing the release of insulin from the pancreas. Glibenclamide was discovered in 1969 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1984. It is available as a generic medication. In 2021, it was the 214th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
== Use in protein biochemistry == In biochemical analyses of membrane proteins, such as BN-PAGE, ε-aminocaproic acid is used to enhance membrane protein solubility while avoiding the addition of sodium chloride.
At the time of the Bay of Pigs invasion, the two intact Mustangs were already effectively grounded at Campo Columbia and at Santiago. After the failed invasion, they were placed on display with other symbols of "revolutionary struggle" and one remains on display at the Museo del Aire. Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic was the largest Latin American air force to employ the P-51D, with six aircraft acquired in 1948, 44 ex-Swedish F-51Ds purchased in 1948, and a further Mustang obtained from an unknown source. It was the last nation to have any Mustangs in service, with some remaining in use as late as 1984. Nine of the final 10 aircraft were sold back to American collectors in 1988. El Salvador The Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Salvadoreña or FAS) purchased five Cavalier Mustang IIs (and one dual-control Cavalier TF-51) that featured wingtip fuel tanks to increase combat range and up-rated Merlin engines. Seven P-51D Mustangs were also in service. They were used during the 1969 Football War against Honduras, the last time the P-51 was used in combat. One of them, FAS-404, was shot down by a Vought F4U-5 Corsair flown by Captain Fernando Soto in the last aerial combat between piston-engined fighters in the world. France In late 1944, the first French unit began its transition to reconnaissance Mustangs. In January 1945, the Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron 2/33 of the French Air Force took their F-6Cs and F-6Ds over Germany on photographic mapping missions. The Mustangs remained in service until the early 1950s, when they were replaced by jet fighters.
The clearance rate, or the rate at which the carrier protein is broken down, for GHBP alone is much faster than when it is bound to its ligand. Additionally, current literature provides evidence that the carrier-protein prolongs the half-life of growth hormone through its binding with the ligand. One purpose of GHBP can be inferred: to maintain the level of GH in the blood, as roughly half of its concentration is complexed with GHBP. Yet this could be confounded by the fact that GH binding to GHBP prevents the ligand from binding to GHR and ultimately proteolytic activity. Another function is that GHBP displays competitive inhibition for GH against the GHR receptor. Studies elucidate another aspect of GHBP physiological role: The proteolytic cleavage activity that forms GHBP ultimately regulates GHR production in humans as well as rats. If there is low GHBP concentration then there are high levels of GHR expression. Conversely, high levels of GHBP protein show negative correlation with levels of growth hormone receptor expression.
== Quantum mechanical – thermodynamic modelling for surface area and porosity == Since 1980 two theories were worked on to explain adsorption and obtain equations that work. These two are referred to as the chi hypothesis, the quantum mechanical derivation, and excess surface work (ESW). Both these theories yield the same equation for flat surfaces:
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
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First, a coma is induced by intravenous administration of 1 g sodium thiopental (Nesdonal); if necessary, 1.5–2.0 g of the product is given in case of strong tolerance to barbiturates. Then, 45 mg alcuronium chloride (Alloferin) or 18 mg pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) is injected. To ensure optimal availability, these agents are preferably given intravenously. However, they can also be injected intramuscularly. In severe hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver, alcuronium is the agent of first choice. A coma is first induced by intravenous administration of 20 mg/kg sodium thiopental in a small volume (10 ml physiological saline). Then, a triple intravenous dose of a nondepolarizing neuromuscular muscle relaxant is given, such as 20 mg pancuronium bromide or 20 mg vecuronium bromide (Norcuron). The muscle relaxant should preferably be given intravenously to ensure optimal availability. Only for pancuronium dibromide, the agent may also be given intramuscularly in a dose of 40 mg. A euthanasia machine may allow an individual to perform the process alone.
And when I got it, I didn't miss it." The Astros and Bagwell agreed to a four-year contract on November 23, 1994, worth $27.5 million (USD, $59.7 million today) with the three option years. The average annual value of $6.875 million ($14.9 million today) made him the fifth-highest paid player in the majors.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Yes, the World Anti-Doping Agency classifies AOD-9604 as a prohibited peptide hormone and related substance. Its use by athletes is banned under the relevant anti-doping code.
Confirmatory detection typically uses liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Immunoassays may be used for screening, but mass spectrometry provides structural confirmation.
No widely approved therapeutic indication exists for AOD-9604. It has been investigated in clinical studies, but regulatory approvals for general medical use are not established.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide fragment of human growth hormone. It corresponds to the C-terminal region known as hGH 176-191 and is studied for metabolic effects. It is not an approved therapeutic drug.