Can a growth hormone-derived peptide (AOD9604) prevent bone loss and fragility in a rat model of osteoporosis?

Abstract

A synthetic human Growth Hormone (hGH) 16AA C-terminus peptide, AOD9604 (AOD, Tyr-hGH171--191), has been shown to modulate fat metabolism and is currently being developed as a novel weight-loss drug. However, intact hGH affects the skeleton as well as lipids. This current study identified similar skeletal effects with the hGH peptide and assessed the ability of AOD to prevent OVX-induced bone loss and fragility. Two different dosages (0.25mg/kg/day, AOD-0.25 and 0.5mg/kg/day, AOD-0.5) of orally administered drug were administered over a 12-wk period in the ovariectomized (OVX) rat. Bone mass, mechanics, material and structural parameters were assessed. Overall, we evidenced that both doses of AOD prevented OVX-induced fragility and bone loss in cortical bone. In trabecular bone, AOD-0.25 prevented OVX-induced fragility and attenuated bone formation and bone loss and these trabecular improvements were not evident with AOD-0.5.