In people with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin, muscle density changes were linked to belly fat loss but not to changes in a growth-related hormone.

Scientific Claim

Changes in trunk muscle density among tesamorelin responders with HIV and abdominal obesity were associated with reductions in visceral adipose tissue but not with changes in insulin-like growth factor-1 levels.

Original Statement

“Among participants in the tesamorelin arm, change in VAT correlated with change in total and lean anterolateral/abdominal and total rectus density (Table 3). Change in VAT was correlated only with change in anterolateral/abdominal area. Change in IGF-1 was not significantly correlated with change in density or area.”

From study:The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with 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 used correlation analysis, and the claim correctly uses 'associated with' for observational relationships within the RCT.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2019

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV

Score: 60

DOI: 10.14283/jfa.2018.45

Similar Assertions

Changes in a growth hormone-related factor didn't match changes in muscle density or size in people with HIV and belly fat taking tesamorelin.

93%

For HIV patients with belly fat who responded to this drug, taking tesamorelin for 6 months made their trunk muscles less fatty and more dense, like turning soft muscle into firmer muscle.

91%

When belly fat went down in these patients, their trunk muscles also got less fatty—suggesting the same process might be cleaning up both types of fat.

91%

For people with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin, the drug helped increase muscle density in their trunk muscles by 1.56 to 4.86 units compared to those who didn't take it.

90%

For people with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin by losing belly fat, taking the drug for 26 weeks made their trunk muscles denser by 1.56 to 4.86 units compared to those who didn't take it.

90%