Tesamorelin helps HIV patients build stronger, healthier muscles
The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A drug called tesamorelin helps people with HIV and belly fat build stronger muscles. It makes muscles denser (less fat inside) and bigger in size. This happens even after accounting for fat loss, meaning the drug directly helps muscles get better.
Surprising Findings
Muscle improvements weren’t linked to IGF-1 changes
IGF-1 is a key growth hormone marker, and you’d expect muscle gains to correlate with it. But the study found no significant correlation between IGF-1 changes and muscle density or area improvements.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re dealing with belly fat and low muscle quality, ask your doctor about tesamorelin—especially if you have HIV or are at risk for frailty.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
A drug called tesamorelin helps people with HIV and belly fat build stronger muscles. It makes muscles denser (less fat inside) and bigger in size. This happens even after accounting for fat loss, meaning the drug directly helps muscles get better.
Surprising Findings
Muscle improvements weren’t linked to IGF-1 changes
IGF-1 is a key growth hormone marker, and you’d expect muscle gains to correlate with it. But the study found no significant correlation between IGF-1 changes and muscle density or area improvements.
Practical Takeaways
If you’re dealing with belly fat and low muscle quality, ask your doctor about tesamorelin—especially if you have HIV or are at risk for frailty.
Publication
Journal
The Journal of Frailty & Aging
Year
2018
Authors
S. Adrian, Ann Scherzinger, A. Sanyal, Jordan E. Lake, Julian Falutz, Michael P. Dubé, T. Stanley, Steven K. Grinspoon, J. Mamputu, Christian Marsolais, Todd T. Brown, Kristine M. Erlandson
Related Content
Claims (10)
Tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, stimulates endogenous growth hormone secretion from the pituitary gland in a pulsatile, physiologically regulated manner.
Tesamorelin is a growth hormone-releasing hormone analog that stimulates the pituitary gland to produce endogenous growth hormone in a physiologically appropriate pattern, as opposed to exogenous growth hormone administration.
People with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin had 0.64 to 1.08 square centimeters more lean muscle in their trunk muscles compared to those who didn't take the drug.
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.
Tesamorelin increased rectus and psoas muscle size by 0.44 and 0.46 cm² in people with HIV and belly fat, but this effect was reduced when considering changes in a growth hormone-related factor.