AOD-9604 and SLU-PP-332 are both studied in mouse models of obesity and metabolism, but they come from different eras of research and work in different tissues. AOD-9604 is a 16-amino-acid peptide taken from the end of the growth hormone molecule, studied since the 1990s for its effects on fat tissue. SLU-PP-332 is a synthetic small molecule described in 2023 that activates the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs) and switches on an exercise-like gene program in muscle. This guide compares them side by side.
All compounds discussed are sold for laboratory research use only. This page summarizes published research and is not guidance for human or veterinary use.
At a glance
| AOD-9604 | SLU-PP-332 | |
|---|---|---|
| Class | Synthetic peptide; modified growth hormone fragment | Synthetic small molecule; receptor agonist |
| Based on | Human growth hormone residues 177-191, plus an added tyrosine | A synthetic aryl acylhydrazone built to activate ERRs |
| Length / size | 16 amino acids, one disulfide loop | Small molecule, 290.3 g/mol |
| Target | No direct receptor identified | Estrogen-related receptors (ERRĪ±, Ī², Ī³), most potent at ERRĪ± |
| Main tissue studied | Fat tissue | Skeletal muscle (also heart) |
| Origin | Australian growth hormone research; metabolic studies from 2000 | Saint Louis University; full description 2023 |
| Development history | Went through clinical studies; drug development discontinued | Preclinical only |
| Rogue Compounds format | Lyophilized vial | Capsules |
Fat tissue versus muscle
The clearest difference is where each compound is studied. AOD-9604 research measures what happens inside fat tissue: how fat cells break down stored fat (lipolysis) and build new fat (lipogenesis). SLU-PP-332 research centers on skeletal muscle, where activating ERRĪ± pushes muscle toward the oxidative profile normally produced by aerobic exercise. Both lines of research end up measuring body weight and fat mass in obese mice, but they start from opposite ends of the body’s energy system.
They also differ in how well their mechanisms are understood. SLU-PP-332 was designed for a known target and acts on it directly. No receptor that binds AOD-9604 directly has been identified, so its proposed mechanism is based on downstream measurements in fat tissue.
AOD-9604: the growth hormone fragment
AOD-9604 came out of Australian research on what was called the lipolytic domain of growth hormone. Early work found that a synthetic peptide matching growth hormone residues 177-191 reduced body weight gain and fat mass in obese mice (Natera et al., 1994). AOD-9604 was designed as an optimized version of that sequence, and its metabolic effects in rodents were described in 2000 (Ng et al., 2000).
The most detailed mechanistic study treated obese mice and mice lacking the Ī²3-adrenergic receptor with growth hormone or AOD-9604, then measured fat breakdown and fat formation in isolated adipose tissue. The differences between the two mouse types were read as evidence that the Ī²3 pathway contributes to the peptide’s effects (Heffernan et al., 2001a). A second study reported increased fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice treated with growth hormone or the fragment (Heffernan et al., 2001b). For more, see the AOD-9604 research overview.
SLU-PP-332: the exercise-mimetic receptor agonist
SLU-PP-332 was described in 2023 as a synthetic agonist of all three estrogen-related receptors, with the highest potency at ERRĪ±. In a muscle cell line it increased mitochondrial function and cellular respiration. In mice it increased oxidative type IIa muscle fibers, switched on an ERRĪ±-dependent acute aerobic exercise gene program and improved exercise endurance (Billon et al., 2023).
A follow-up study in diet-induced obese and ob/ob mice reported increased energy expenditure and fatty acid oxidation, less fat mass accumulation and improved insulin sensitivity (Billon et al., 2024). A separate group reported that ERR agonists including SLU-PP-332 preserved oxidative metabolism and protected the heart in a mouse model of pressure-overload heart failure (Xu et al., 2024). For more, see the SLU-PP-332 research overview.
Where their research overlaps
- Obese mouse models: both have been tested in obese mice, with body weight and fat mass as key measurements.
- Fat oxidation: studies of both compounds reported increased fat oxidation, measured through different tissues and methods.
- Energy use: both are studied on the energy-use side of metabolism rather than for reducing food intake.
How researchers choose between them
- To study fat-cell lipolysis and lipogenesis, AOD-9604 is the relevant compound, since its research centers on adipose tissue.
- To study muscle and exercise signaling, SLU-PP-332 is the relevant compound, since its main effects are on muscle fiber type and endurance.
- For a defined molecular target, SLU-PP-332 is the clearer tool, since AOD-9604’s direct target is still unknown.
- For a longer research history, AOD-9604 has been studied since the 1990s and went through clinical development.
What the research does not show
There are no studies comparing AOD-9604 and SLU-PP-332 head to head or testing them together. AOD-9604’s clinical development was discontinued, and no receptor for it has been identified. SLU-PP-332 has no published human data. Neither is approved by the FDA for any use, and mouse findings cannot be assumed to apply to humans.
Verify what you’re working with
The two products are tested differently. AOD-9604 reports show HPLC purity and mass spectrometry identity; capsule reports for SLU-PP-332 confirm identity and fill weight. Our guide on how to read a peptide COA walks through both, and every batch we sell is in the COA Library.
View AOD-9604 on Rogue Compounds Ā· View SLU-PP-332 on Rogue Compounds
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AOD-9604 and SLU-PP-332?
AOD-9604 is a 16-amino-acid peptide derived from the end of human growth hormone and studied mainly in fat tissue. SLU-PP-332 is a small synthetic molecule that activates the estrogen-related receptors and is studied mainly in muscle.
Is AOD-9604 a growth hormone?
No. It is a short fragment based on residues 177-191 of human growth hormone, designed to study the hormone’s metabolic domain separately from the full molecule.
Why is SLU-PP-332 called an exercise mimetic?
In mice, it switched on the same ERRĪ±-dependent gene program seen after aerobic exercise, increased oxidative muscle fibers and improved endurance.
Has either compound been studied in humans?
AOD-9604 went through clinical studies before its drug development was discontinued. SLU-PP-332 has no published human trials.
Are AOD-9604 and SLU-PP-332 for human use?
No. Rogue Compounds sells both as research chemicals, not for human use. They are for laboratory research only.
References
- Natera SH, Jiang WJ, Ng FM. Reduction of cumulative body weight gain and adipose tissue mass in obese mice: response to chronic treatment with synthetic hGH 177-191 peptide. Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1994;33:1011-1021. PMID 7987248
- Ng FM, et al. Metabolic studies of a synthetic lipolytic domain (AOD9604) of human growth hormone. Horm Res. 2000;53(6):274-278. PMID 11146367
- Heffernan M, et al. The effects of human GH and its lipolytic fragment (AOD9604) on lipid metabolism following chronic treatment in obese mice and Ī²3-AR knock-out mice. Endocrinology. 2001;142(12):5182-5189. PMID 11713213
- Heffernan MA, et al. Increase of fat oxidation and weight loss in obese mice caused by chronic treatment with human growth hormone or a modified C-terminal fragment. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2001;25(10):1442-1449. PMID 11673763
- Billon C, et al. Synthetic ERRĪ±/Ī²/Ī³ agonist induces an ERRĪ±-dependent acute aerobic exercise response and enhances exercise capacity. ACS Chem Biol. 2023;18(4):756-771. PMID 36988910
- Billon C, et al. A synthetic ERR agonist alleviates metabolic syndrome. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2024;388(2):232-240. PMID 37739806
- Xu W, et al. Novel pan-ERR agonists ameliorate heart failure through enhancing cardiac fatty acid metabolism and mitochondrial function. Circulation. 2024;149(3):227-250. PMID 37961903
Research use only. Rogue Compounds products are sold strictly for laboratory research. They are not for human or veterinary use, and nothing in this article is medical advice. The studies cited here describe published research, not this product or any use of it.
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