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Specimen Atlas of Research Peptides81 plates · MIT
Side-by-side · Research reference

AdamaxvsHGH Fragment 176-191

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED20/47 cited
BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED28/59 cited
Adamax
ACTH(4-10) Analogue · Russian Nootropic
1.4×BDNF protein ↑Dolotov 2006
BDNF mRNA (exon III)Dolotov 2006
1.6×trkB phosphorylationDolotov 2006
Intranasal · Research Use Only
HGH Fragment 176-191
GH Fragment · Pre-Clinical
50%Weight gain reductionNg 2000
~26 minHalf-life (est.)
No IGF-1 ↑GH axis impact
SQ · IP (animal) · Oral (tested)

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter
Adamax
HGH Fragment 176-191
Primary target
Melanocortin receptors (MC-Rs) in hippocampus and cortex
Beta-3 adrenergic receptors on adipocytesHeffernan 2001
Pathway
ACTH(4-10) fragment → MC-R binding → BDNF/trkB upregulation → neurotrophic signaling
Fragment → β3-AR upregulation → Enhanced lipolytic sensitivityHeffernan 2001
Downstream effect
Increased hippocampal BDNF expression, trkB tyrosine phosphorylation, enhanced conditioned avoidance learning, circadian rhythm normalizationDolotov 2006Arushanian 2008
Increased lipolysis and beta-3 AR mRNA expression without IGF-1 axis activation
Feedback intact?
Non-endocrine — devoid of adrenal axis effectsvan 1978
N/A — does not interact with GH/IGF-1 axis
Origin
ACTH(4-10) fragment with modified amino acid sequence at positions 8, 9, 10Teter 2001
Synthetic peptide derived from hGH residues 176-191; AOD9604 includes N-terminal tyrosine (177-191)Cox 2015
Antibody development
Not reported in available studies

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter
Adamax
HGH Fragment 176-191
Animal dose (rat)
50 mcg/kg body weightDolotov 2006
Single intranasal application; produced maximal BDNF response.
Route
Frequency
Single-dose or chronic administration protocols
Chronic dosing normalized circadian rhythms; single-dose produced acute BDNF elevation.
Once daily (animal models)
Human dose (exploratory)
Not established — limited human data
ACTH(4-10) and analogs dosed 30–60 mcg intranasally in early human studies.
Evidence basis
Animal (rodent, rabbit) studies; minimal human RCT data
Animal studies only
Timing
Variable — chronic administration for circadian effects
Animal dose (oral)
500 mcg/kg body weightNg 2000
Obese Zucker rats, 19 days.
Animal dose (IP)
Not specified (14-day chronic administration)Heffernan 2001
Obese mice, daily IP injection.
Human equivalent dose
Not established — no published human RCTs
Duration tested
Detection window
50 pg/mL LOD in urine; stable metabolite extends detectionCox 2015
WADA-banned; anti-doping testing available.
Oral bioavailability
Demonstrated efficacy in animal oral administrationNg 2000
Potential for oral therapeutic development.

03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence

Parameter
Adamax
HGH Fragment 176-191
Primary fat target
Adipose tissue (general) — beta-3 AR mediated lipolysisHeffernan 2001
Weight gain reduction
50% reduction vs control (15.8 ± 0.6 g vs 35.6 ± 0.8 g)Ng 2000
Obese Zucker rats, 19 days oral administration.
Body fat reduction
Significant decrease in body weight and body fat in obese mice (14 days)Heffernan 2001
Lipolytic activity
Increased adipose tissue lipolytic activityNg 2000
Direct measurement in treated animals.
Beta-3 AR expression
Upregulated β3-AR mRNA in obese mice to lean-comparable levelsHeffernan 2001
Insulin sensitivity
No adverse effect — euglycemic clamp confirmedNg 2000
Contrasts with intact hGH diabetogenic effects.
IGF-1 impact
No elevation — fragment does not activate GH/IGF-1 axis
Beta-3 AR dependency
Effect abolished in β3-AR knockout miceHeffernan 2001
Confirms β3-AR as primary mechanism.
Route of administration
Efficacy demonstrated via oral and IP routesNg 2000Heffernan 2001
Human evidence
None published — pre-clinical only

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter
Adamax
HGH Fragment 176-191
Cardiovascular effects
ACTH(4-10) fragments may have pressor and cardioaccelerator actions at high dosesGruber 1984
Effects attenuated by α/β-receptor antagonists; observed at 30–1000 nmol/kg IV in rats.
Natriuretic effect
ACTH(4-10) exhibited natriuretic activity at lower doses (7 nmol/kg)Gruber 1984
Behavioral suppression
Suppression of aggression, reduced orientation-cognition reactions in rabbitsTeter 2001
May reflect anxiolytic or stress-dampening profile.
Long-term safety
Unknown — chronic human safety data lacking
Insulin sensitivity
No adverse effects observed in euglycemic clamp (animal)Ng 2000
GH/IGF-1 axis
No activation — avoids diabetogenic effects of full GHNg 2000
Human safety data
Not available — no published human trials
WADA status
Banned as performance-enhancing drugCox 2015
Metabolic profile
Six metabolites identified; CRSVEGSCG most stableCox 2015
Detection window implications for doping control.
Absolute Contraindications
Adamax
  • ·Pregnancy and lactation (precautionary; no data)
  • ·Active cardiovascular instability (due to potential pressor effects)
HGH Fragment 176-191
  • ·Competitive athletes (WADA-banned)Cox 2015
Relative Contraindications
Adamax
  • ·Hypertension (monitor BP if using higher doses)
  • ·Renal impairment (natriuretic effects may alter electrolyte balance)
HGH Fragment 176-191
  • ·Absence of human safety data — experimental use only

05Administration Protocol

Parameter
Adamax
HGH Fragment 176-191
1. Reconstitution (if lyophilised)
Add sterile water or bacteriostatic water to lyophilised vial per manufacturer guidance. Roll gently — do not shake. Ensure clarity before use.
Subcutaneous injection primary route in research context. Oral administration demonstrated efficacy in animal models at 500 mcg/kg.
2. Route
Intranasal administration is the primary route in animal and exploratory human studies. Delivered via nasal spray or dropper to ensure mucosal absorption.Dolotov 2006Smolnik 2000
Once daily dosing used in animal studies. Timing not specified; GH-independent mechanism suggests flexibility.
3. Timing
Variable. Single-dose protocols for acute cognitive tasks; chronic daily dosing for circadian rhythm normalization and sustained neuroprotection.
Animal protocols: 14–19 days. Human duration not established — no published trials.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temperature, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within manufacturer-specified timeframe.
Lyophilized peptide storage per standard peptide protocols. Metabolite stability suggests refrigerated reconstituted solution viable.
5. Detection
Detectable in urine via SPE-LC-MS at 50 pg/mL LOD. Extended detection window via stable metabolite CRSVEGSCG.Cox 2015

06Stack Synergy

Adamax
+ Semax
Moderate
View Semax

Both Adamax and Semax are ACTH(4-10)-derived nootropics acting via melanocortin receptors and BDNF upregulation. Adamax has distinct amino acid modifications at positions 8-10, potentially offering complementary receptor binding profiles or metabolic stability. Stacking may amplify neurotrophic signaling and cognitive enhancement, though direct synergy studies are absent. Theoretical multi-pathway benefit.

Adamax
Research dose intranasal
Semax
300–600 mcg intranasal
Frequency
Once daily, morning or pre-cognitive task
Primary benefit
Enhanced BDNF upregulation, cognitive performance, neuroprotection
HGH Fragment 176-191
— no documented stacks