Even after stopping tesamorelin, people with HIV who had lost belly fat still had better liver enzyme levels for a full year, even though some fat came back.

Scientific Claim

Improvements in liver enzymes among tesamorelin responders with elevated baseline transaminases persisted for 52 weeks even after discontinuing the drug, despite partial visceral adipose tissue reaccumulation.

Original Statement

“This improvement among VAT responders persisted over 52 weeks even in those switched to placebo despite a partial re-accumulation of VAT.”

From study:Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim describes observed persistence without implying causation. The study design supports descriptive findings about temporal patterns.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2017 Oct 23

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV

Score: 62

DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001614

Similar Assertions

In a 6-month randomized, placebo-controlled trial, tesamorelin significantly reduced both visceral and hepatic (liver) fat, with liver fat reduction being particularly important as it improves insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism.

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