HGH Fragment 176-191

Structure: Synthetic 16-amino-acid peptide corresponding to the C-terminal residues 176 to 191 of human growth hormone (HGH 176-191). Retains the lipolytic domain of GH while lacking the receptor binding regions responsible for GH's growth-promoting and diabetogenic effects.

How it differs from AOD-9604 (already in catalog):

• HGH Fragment 176-191 (this entry): the unmodified 16-amino-acid C-terminal fragment, less stable, sold widely on the grey-market peptide circuit
• AOD-9604: HGH Fragment 176-191 with an added N-terminal tyrosine residue (position 1) that improves stability. Developed and patented by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals, has GRAS status in some jurisdictions.
• The two are pharmacologically very similar but the names are not interchangeable. Most "HGH Frag" sold by research peptide vendors is the unmodified 176-191 sequence; product labelled "AOD-9604" should contain the tyrosine-modified analog.

Dosage:

• Fat loss: 250 to 500mcg/day SubQ on empty stomach
• Aggressive: 500mcg in the morning (fasted) and 500mcg pre-bed
• Cycle: 8 to 12 weeks

Administration:

• SubQ injection, abdomen (often near target adipose tissue, anecdotal)
• Best on empty stomach: insulin and food intake blunt the lipolytic response
• 27 to 30g insulin syringe
• Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water, refrigerate, use within 30 days

Key Notes:

• The "fat loss without GH side effects" pitch is the primary appeal. No IGF-1 elevation means no water retention, no joint pain, no glucose impairment, and no organ growth concerns.
• Effect size in healthy lean adults is modest at best. Most user-reported fat loss happens in a caloric deficit and would have happened without the peptide.
• Often confused with AOD-9604 in product listings. Read the certificate of analysis if available; the sequences differ by one residue.
• Frequently stacked with CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin (for GH-driven recovery and lipolysis) or with GLP-1 agonists during cuts. Stacking with GH does not produce the synergy users hope for: GH already covers lipolysis.
• Black market product purity is the main risk vector, not the peptide itself.
• Monitor: lipid panel (may improve), fasting glucose (should not change, unlike with full-length GH).

References:

• Ng, F. M., Sun, J., Sharma, L., Libinaka, R., Jiang, W. J., & Gianello, R. (2000). Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone. Hormone Research, 53(6), 274-278. DOI: 10.1159/000053183
• Heffernan, M., Summers, R. J., Thorburn, A., Ogru, E., Gianello, R., Jiang, W. J., & Ng, F. M. (2001). 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. Endocrinology, 142(12), 5182-5189. DOI: 10.1210/endo.142.12.8522
• Stier, H., Vos, E., & Kenley, D. (2013). Safety and tolerability of the hexadecapeptide AOD9604 in humans. Journal of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity, 1(2), 1-6. PubMed: 24003472