HIV patients with high ALT who lost visceral fat had a 35% chance of normalizing their ALT levels after 6 months, compared to 18% who didn't lose fat, showing a clear benefit.

Scientific Claim

Among tesamorelin-treated HIV-infected patients with elevated baseline ALT or AST, those with ≥8% visceral adipose tissue reduction had a 35% rate of alanine aminotransferase normalization (≤30 U/L) at 26 weeks compared to 18% in nonresponders (P=0.007).

Original Statement

“Among tesamorelin-treated subjects with elevated baseline transaminases, 35% of VAT responders compared to 18% of VAT nonresponders had normalization of ALT at week 26 (responders vs. nonresponders, P = 0.007).”

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 design supports association claims. The language appropriately reflects the observed rates 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 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.

97%

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.

96%

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%

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.

92%

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.

91%