WADA prohibited list is one of those subjects where the details matter more than the headlines. This page pulls together the background, the mechanisms, and the practical points readers ask about most.
Last reviewed on 2025-11-09. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
Researchers have studied the fragment in cell and animal models to understand its metabolic actions. Some experiments report effects on fat breakdown and fat storage pathways, but the underlying mechanism remains incompletely defined. AOD-9604 does not appear to stimulate the same broad growth hormone receptor signaling as full-length hGH. Whether its observed activities arise from direct receptor interactions or downstream metabolic changes is an open question. Results from different assays are not always consistent.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide modeled on the C-terminal region of human growth hormone. It corresponds to residues 176-191 of the 191-amino-acid hGH sequence. The fragment is not the full hormone and lacks the receptor-binding region associated with growth and metabolic effects of hGH. Researchers developed it to isolate a specific portion of hGH for study. Its exact sequence and length are often stated in peptide catalogs and patents.
The peptide is frequently described as a growth hormone fragment, although it is chemically distinct from full-length hGH. AOD-9604 contains 16 amino acids and includes two cysteine residues that can form an intramolecular disulfide bond. In solution, this structural feature can influence folding, aggregation, and stability. Published descriptions sometimes call it hGH 176-191 or AOD9604, with spacing and capitalization varying. Such naming differences can complicate literature searches, database entries, and product verification.
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.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular class | Synthetic peptide | Derived from a fragment of human growth hormone |
| Sequence basis | hGH residues 176-191 | Commonly described as a 16-amino-acid fragment |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | Typical for lyophilized research peptides |
| Solubility | Soluble in water or aqueous buffer | Exact solubility depends on pH and purity |
| Common synonyms | AOD9604; hGH 176-191 | Spelling and punctuation vary across sources |
Regulatory status varies by country. In the United States, AOD-9604 is not approved as a prescription drug. It is sometimes sold as a research chemical or dietary supplement, though such marketing may fall outside legal frameworks. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits its use in sport. Researchers must obtain it through legitimate suppliers and follow institutional rules. Its legal classification continues to evolve as authorities increasingly assess peptide products more broadly.
AOD-9604 is a synthetic peptide whose sequence matches the C-terminal fragment of human growth hormone, specifically residues 176 through 191. This region differs from the full hormone in its receptor interactions. The peptide is not a growth hormone secretagogue and does not bind the growth hormone receptor in the same manner. Researchers have examined it for effects on lipid metabolism, but its exact pharmacological profile remains an active area of study.
Development of AOD-9604 began in the 1990s as scientists sought to isolate metabolic effects of growth hormone without its growth-promoting actions. Early laboratory work focused on fat cells and animal models. Several human trials followed, examining changes in body composition and fat mass. Results have been mixed, and the peptide has not progressed to widespread clinical approval. Interest continues in research settings, particularly regarding its mechanism and potential metabolic targets.
Research interest in AOD-9604 often focuses on whether it can influence lipid metabolism without the growth-promoting or glucose-related effects of full-length hGH. This question remains unresolved, and findings depend on model, dose, and measurement method. Some reviews treat the peptide as a historical obesity candidate rather than an active therapeutic. Others cite it in discussions of peptide fragments, metabolic signaling, and performance-enhancing substances. Clear conclusions are limited by the small number of rigorous, independent human studies.
AOD-9604 has been investigated primarily as a potential treatment for obesity and related metabolic conditions. Early laboratory work examined its effects on fat cells, and later studies moved into animal models and human clinical trials. Some trials reportedly reached Phase II, but the program did not lead to an approved medicine. Published summaries often note that weight-loss results were modest or inconsistent. The full trial data are not all publicly available in detail.
Regulatory treatment of AOD-9604 has varied. In sports anti-doping, the peptide became widely discussed during a 2013 investigation into an Australian professional sports club. Authorities at the time debated whether it fell under prohibitions on growth hormone and related substances. Later clarifications and updated lists have addressed the compound in different ways. Anyone seeking current status should consult the latest applicable rules, and commercial supply for human use is not authorized in major markets.
== Design and manufacture == The design and manufacture of PMPs involves biomaterial selection, nanoparticle engineering, surface functionalization, and scalable production techniques to mimic the structure, function, and biomechanical properties of native platelets. One such design is a nanohair decorated microsphere made by a research group. These are small particles created from a combination of polystyrene, polyaniline (PANi), and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) antibodies that bind to circulating tumor cells. These spheres are designed to have a 1μm diameter created with the polystyrene molecules where the inner layer is hydrophilic to surround the core. The PANi is used to create nanohairs that simulate the natural aggregation of platelets. These nanohairs are attached to the surface of the polystyrene nanoparticles and range in length from 100 to 800 nm. The EpCAM antibodies are also attached to the nanospheres and are capable of binding to the EpCAM of circulating tumor cells in order to capture and remove them from circulation.
Spironolactone is rapidly and extensively metabolized in the liver upon oral administration and has a very short terminal half-life of 1.4 hours. The major metabolites of spironolactone are 7α-thiomethylspironolactone (7α-TMS), 6β-hydroxy-7α-thiomethylspironolactone (6β-OH-7α-TMS), and canrenone (7α-desthioacetyl-δ6-spironolactone). These metabolites have much longer elimination half-lives than spironolactone of 13.8 hours, 15.0 hours, and 16.5 hours, respectively, and are responsible for the therapeutic effects of the medication. As such, spironolactone is a prodrug. The 7α-thiomethylated metabolites of spironolactone were not known for many years and it was originally thought that canrenone was the major active metabolite of the medication, but subsequent research identified 7α-TMS as the major metabolite. Other known but more minor metabolites of spironolactone include 7α-thiospironolactone (7α-TS), which is an important intermediate to the major metabolites of spironolactone, as well as the 7α-methyl ethyl ester of spironolactone and the 6β-hydroxy-7α-methyl ethyl ester of spironolactone. Spironolactone is hydrolyzed or deacetylated at the thioester of the C7α position into 7α-TS by carboxylesterases. Following formation of 7α-TS, it is S-oxygenated by flavin-containing monooxygenases to form an electrophilic sulfenic acid metabolite. This metabolite is involved in the CYP450 inhibition of spironolactone, and also binds covalently to other proteins. 7α-TS is also S-methylated into 7α-TMS, a transformation catalyzed by thiol S-methyltransferase.
Pyruvate is plentiful in muscle due to extensive glycolysis. Amino groups in skeletal muscles are transferred to a product of glycolysis, pyruvate, forming alanine. This transamination reaction is catalyzed by alanine aminotransferase. Alanine is then transported to the liver, where it is converted back into pyruvate (used for gluconeogenesis) by transferring its amino group to α-ketoglutarate, forming glutamate. Simultaneously, glucose is being transported from the liver (where it's more abundant due to gluconeogenesis) to the muscle, where it is consumed. This is the glucose-alanine cycle.
In September 2010, Iran was attacked by the Stuxnet worm, thought to specifically target its Natanz nuclear enrichment facility. It was a 500-kilobyte computer worm that infected at least 14 industrial sites in Iran, including the Natanz uranium-enrichment plant. Although the official authors of Stuxnet haven't been officially identified, Stuxnet is believed to be developed and deployed by the United States and Israel. The worm is said to be the most advanced piece of malware ever discovered and significantly increases the profile of cyberwarfare. Iranian Cyber Police department, FATA, was dismissed one year after its creation in 2011 because of the arrest and death of Sattar Behesti, a blogger, in the custody of FATA. Since then, the main responsible institution for the cyberwarfare in Iran is the "Cyber Defense Command" operating under the Joint Staff of Iranian Armed Forces. The Iranian state sponsored group MuddyWater is active since at least 2017 and is responsible for many cyber attacks on various sectors.
Bacterial plasmids are circular sections of DNA that naturally replicate in bacteria. Plasmids are capable of holding inserts up to approximately 20 kbp in length. These types of constructs typically contain a gene offering antibiotic-resistance, an origin of replication, regulatory elements such as Lac inhibitors, a polylinker, and a protein tag which facilitates protein purification. Bacteriophage Vectors are viruses that can infect bacteria and replicate their own DNA. Artificial chromosomes are commonly used in genome project studies due to their ability to hold inserts up to 350 kbp. These vectors are derived from the F plasmid, taking advantage of the high stability and conjugational ability introduced by the F factor. Fosmids are a hybrid between bacterial F plasmids and λ phage cloning techniques. Inserts are pre-packaged into phage particles, then inserted into the host cell with the ability to hold ~45 kbp. They are typically used to generate a DNA library due to their increased stability.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Polling indicated that the majority of voters support a ceasefire and American mediation in the Gaza war. According to a YouGov poll in March 2024, 52% of Americans supported stopping weapons shipments to Israel, coming largely from Americans who voted for Biden in 2020 (62% support) and people who did not vote in 2020 (60%). 55% of Americans who voted for Trump in 2020 opposed halting weapons shipments, while 30% supported the measure. Republicans generally supported arms to Israel, while Democrats were divided on the issue. Harris largely continued Biden's approach to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, although she was seen as more sympathetic to Palestinians than Biden or Trump. During the Gaza war, Harris supported Israel's offensive, saying "the threat Hamas poses to the people of Israel must be eliminated". By March 2024, Harris was increasingly critical of Israel, calling for a ceasefire and two-state solution, and opposing the Rafah offensive, though still supporting the war overall. In the Democratic primaries, the Uncommitted National Movement led a protest campaign against Biden and later Harris over the war, calling for a ceasefire and arms embargo on Israel. It received over 700,000 votes and 36 delegates. Harris engaged with Uncommitted and Arab-American leaders, but refused to change her position. Harris argued for continued weapons shipments to Israel, saying it had a right to defend itself. Uncommitted ultimately encouraged its supporters to vote for Harris, though many were reluctant.
=== EC 1.7.2 With a cytochrome as acceptor === EC 1.7.2.1: nitrite reductase (NO-forming) EC 1.7.2.2: nitrite reductase (cytochrome; ammonia-forming) EC 1.7.2.3: trimethylamine-N-oxide reductase EC 1.7.2.4: nitrous-oxide reductase EC 1.7.2.5: nitric oxide reductase (cytochrome c) EC 1.7.2.6: hydroxylamine dehydrogenase EC 1.7.2.7: hydrazine synthase EC 1.7.2.8: hydrazine dehydrogenase
This property has been utilized in synthetic organic chemistry. Selones (R2C=Se) are the selenium analogues of ketones. They are rare due to their tendency to oligomerize. Diselenobenzoquinone is stable as a metal complex. Selenourea is an example of a stable compound containing a (formal) C=Se bond. Thioselenides (R−Se−S−R), compounds with bonds between divalent selenium and divalent sulfur, analogous to disulfides. Likewise a selenamide has form R–Se–NR2. The latter are generally stable if and only if at least one of the nitrogen or the selenium is attached to an electron-withdrawing group. Per Paulmier, "hexacoordinated selenium does not appear in organic chemistry."
== External links == Adrenocorticotropic+Hormone at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) Cosyntropin at the U.S. National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
== Career == In 1985 Mile High Publishing began with a small newsletter teaching bodybuilders how to use anabolic steroids. The newsletter was written and printed in his mother's garage. Funded with $180 he had made from mowing lawns, its original name was The Anabolic Reference Update. In 1991, Phillips began working with doctors and research scientists to develop performance nutrition products that could help athletes get better muscle-building and fat-burning effects from their workouts.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
No, it is a synthetic peptide fragment corresponding to a small portion of hGH. It is not the full 191-amino-acid hormone and does not reproduce all of hGH's effects.
It is commonly described as a 16-amino-acid peptide based on residues 176-191 of human growth hormone. Some sources vary in notation, so checking the stated sequence is useful.
It is not typically described as a standalone natural hormone. The sequence is derived from the C-terminal region of human growth hormone, but the synthetic peptide is a laboratory-made construct.
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.