HGH fragment 176-191 does not appear to cause common hGH-related side effects, such as increasing long bone growth, impacting carbohydrate metabolism, increasing IGF-1 levels, or adversely affecting insulin sensitivity. As noted, AOD9604 does not cause the pro-tumor or pro-diabetic effects associated with hGH injections [2].
For example, a 2000 study involving obese Zucker rats found that unlike treatment involving intact hGH, AOD9604 does not negatively impact insulin sensitivity in animals [9].
Likewise, a 2001 study found that while AOD9604 significantly reduced body weight gain in obese mice, it did not reduce insulin secretion, hyperglycemia, cell proliferation, or compete for the HGH receptor [10].
Lastly, a 2013 study into the safety and tolerability of AOD9604 in humans found that the peptide did not affect serum IGF-1 levels and had no negative effect on carbohydrate metabolism [8].
While these findings come from research involving AOD9604, the structural similarities between this peptide and fragment 176-191 make them relevant to researchers interested in the latter peptide's safety profile.
As fragment 176-191 has not been approved for use in humans by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor by any of its international regulatory counterparts, due caution is required when administering this peptide. Fragment 176-191 should only be handled by qualified researchers and laboratory professionals.