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.

Scientific Claim

In HIV-infected patients with abdominal obesity and elevated baseline ALT or AST, a ≥8% reduction in visceral adipose tissue is associated with greater reductions in AST levels compared to nonresponders (−3.8 ± 12.9 vs. 0.4 ± 22.4 U/L, P = 0.04).

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 claim uses 'associated with' and reflects the study's observational analysis of responder status within an RCT, avoiding causal language despite the randomized design.

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 had more visceral fat (191 vs. 167 cm²) than those with normal liver enzymes, showing a clear link.

95%

For people with HIV and belly fat who have high liver enzyme levels, those who lose at least 8% of their visceral fat see a bigger drop in ALT levels than those who don't lose that much fat.

94%

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.

92%

In people with HIV and belly fat, higher amounts of visceral fat at the start were linked to higher liver enzyme levels.

92%

In people with HIV and belly fat, having more visceral fat was linked to higher levels of a liver enzyme called ALT, which suggests a connection between belly fat and liver health.

90%