For HIV patients with high liver enzymes taking a placebo, losing visceral fat didn't lead to better liver enzyme levels.

Scientific Claim

In placebo-treated HIV-infected patients with elevated baseline ALT or AST, VAT reduction ≥8% was not associated with changes in ALT or AST levels (ALT: −6.5 ± 21.1 vs. −4.8 ± 21.1 U/L, P = 0.75; AST: −2.1 ± 21.5 vs. −2.9 ± 15.5 U/L, P = 0.33).

Original Statement

“Among placebo-treated subjects, VAT reduction ≥ 8% was not associated with a concurrent decline in ALT (VAT ≥ 8% vs. < 8%, −6.5 ± 21.1 vs. −4.8 ± 21.1 U/L, P = 0.75) or AST (VAT ≥ 8% vs. < 8%, −2.1 ± 21.5 vs. −2.9 ± 15.5 U/L, P = 0.33), which is in contrast to tesamorelin-treated patients.”

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 accurately describes the lack of association in the placebo group using statistical evidence without causal language.

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

HIV patients with high liver enzymes who lost visceral fat from tesamorelin kept their liver enzyme improvements for a full year even after stopping the drug, even though some fat came back.

86%

Among HIV patients with high liver enzymes, 35% of those who lost at least 8% visceral fat from the drug had their ALT levels return to normal after six months, compared to 18% of those who didn't lose much fat.

77%

HIV patients with belly fat and high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% visceral fat were more likely to have their ALT levels return to normal after 6 months than those who didn't lose that much fat.

76%

HIV patients with belly fat and high liver enzymes had more visceral fat and less fat under the skin than those with normal liver enzymes.

75%

HIV patients with belly fat and high liver enzymes who lose at least 8% of visceral fat see a bigger drop in AST levels than those who don't lose that much fat.

71%