AOD-9604 and MOTS-c are both categorized under weight management in the PeptidesAI encyclopedia, and neither is FDA-approved. AOD-9604 is a modified fragment of human growth hormone studied for fat metabolism. MOTS-c is a peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, studied as a metabolic regulator.
At a glance
| AOD-9604 | MOTS-c | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Modified fragment of human growth hormone (amino acids 177 to 191) studied for fat metabolism | Peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA, studied as a metabolic regulator and sometimes called an exercise mimetic |
| How it's thought to work | Studied for mimicking the fat-breakdown region of growth hormone without its effects on blood sugar or growth | Studied for moving to the cell nucleus under metabolic stress and activating AMPK signaling, affecting glucose and fat metabolism |
| Regulatory status | Not FDA-approved for any use; clinical development did not lead to an approved product | Not FDA-approved for any human use |
| Strength of evidence | Animal studies of fat breakdown; published human data is mostly about safety and tolerability | Insulin-sensitivity and exercise findings come from animal studies; human research is at an early stage |
| Reported side effects | Injection site irritation, headache, mild nausea | Injection site reactions; long-term human data is limited |
| Common vial sizes | 5mg | 5mg, 10mg |
| Mixing math example | 5 mg + 2.5 mL BAC water = 2,000 mcg/mL, 20 mcg per unit | 10 mg + 2 mL BAC water = 5,000 mcg/mL, 50 mcg per unit |
Key differences
AOD-9604 is studied for mimicking the fat-breakdown region of growth hormone while inhibiting fat formation. MOTS-c is studied for moving to the cell nucleus under metabolic stress and activating AMPK signaling, a pathway involved in energy regulation, glucose use and fat metabolism.
AOD-9604 comes from a hormone: it corresponds to amino acids 177 to 191 of human growth hormone. MOTS-c is encoded in the mitochondrial genome rather than being a copy of a hormone or hormone fragment.
AOD-9604's reported side effects include injection site irritation, headache and mild nausea. MOTS-c's reported side effects are injection site reactions, and long-term human data is limited.
What the research covers
AOD-9604's fat-breakdown findings come from animal research, and published human data is mostly about safety and tolerability; clinical development did not lead to an approved product. MOTS-c's findings on insulin sensitivity and exercise capacity come from animal studies, and human research is at an early stage.
Sources
- The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and beta(3)-AR knock-out mice. Heffernan M et al. Endocrinology, 2001. Preclinical
- Safety and Tolerability of the Hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in Humans. Stier et al. Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2013. Human trial
- The mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c promotes metabolic homeostasis and reduces obesity and insulin resistance. Lee C et al. Cell Metabolism, 2015. Preclinical
- MOTS-c is an exercise-induced mitochondrial-encoded regulator of age-dependent physical decline and muscle homeostasis. Reynolds JC et al. Nature Communications, 2021. Human trial
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AOD-9604 and MOTS-c?
AOD-9604 is a fragment of human growth hormone studied for fat breakdown. MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-encoded peptide studied for activating AMPK signaling and metabolic regulation.
Is AOD-9604 or MOTS-c FDA-approved?
Neither is FDA-approved for any human use.
Is there human research on AOD-9604 or MOTS-c?
AOD-9604 has published human data, mostly about safety and tolerability. MOTS-c human research is at an early stage, and its main findings come from animal studies.
Where do AOD-9604 and MOTS-c come from?
AOD-9604 is based on amino acids 177 to 191 of human growth hormone. MOTS-c is encoded in mitochondrial DNA.
Both entries, plus the calculator
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