For people with HIV and belly fat who have high liver enzyme levels, those who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from the drug had much bigger drops in their liver enzyme numbers compared to those who didn't lose much fat, and this difference was statistically significant.

Scientific Claim

In HIV-infected individuals with abdominal obesity and elevated baseline ALT or AST (>30 U/L), a ≥8% reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was associated with a greater decrease in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (−8.9 ± 22.6 U/L vs. +1.4 ± 34.7 U/L, P=0.004) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels (−3.8 ± 12.9 U/L vs. +0.4 ± 22.4 U/L, P=0.04) compared to those without significant VAT reduction after 26 weeks of tesamorelin treatment.

Original Statement

“In subjects assigned to tesamorelin with baseline ALT or AST > 30 U/L, VAT responders experienced greater reductions in ALT (−8.9 ± 22.6 vs. 1.4 ± 34.7 U/l, P = 0.004) and AST (−3.8 ± 12.9 vs. 0.4 ± 22.4 U/l, P = 0.04) compared with nonresponders over 26 weeks.”

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 study is an RCT but blinding status is unknown, so causation cannot be assumed. The claim uses 'associated with' which correctly reflects the evidence without implying causation.

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 belly fat and high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from the drug saw their ALT drop by about 9 points (18%) and AST by 4 points (10%) after six months of treatment.

97%

For people with HIV and belly fat who have high liver enzyme levels, those who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from tesamorelin treatment had much bigger drops in their liver enzyme levels compared to those who didn't lose much fat.

95%

HIV patients with high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% visceral fat after taking tesamorelin saw their ALT drop by about 9 units on average, while those without fat loss had a slight increase, showing a clear benefit from fat reduction.

94%

HIV patients with high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from the drug were 2.5 times more likely to have their ALT levels return to normal compared to those who didn't lose much fat.

92%

Even after stopping tesamorelin and some fat coming back, the liver enzyme improvements stayed for a year in patients who initially lost visceral fat.

92%