Tesamorelin is a synthetic peptide that functions as a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue. It is a modified version of the naturally occurring GHRH, which is produced by the hypothalamus in the brain and signals the pituitary gland to produce and release growth hormone (GH). Tesamorelin is designed to be more stable and longer-lasting than endogenous GHRH. By binding to GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland, Tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary to secrete endogenous GH in a pulsatile manner, mimicking the body's natural rhythm. This is a key distinction from injecting synthetic growth hormone (HGH), which can suppress the body's natural GH production. Tesamorelin's targeted and indirect mechanism of action makes it a powerful tool for increasing GH levels in a more physiological way.
Research Applications & Benefits
- the reduction in vat achieved with tesamorelin has been associated with broader metabolic improvements. stanley et al. (2012) reported that patients who responded to treatment with vat reduction also experienced greater reductions in triglyceride levels and improvements in measures of glucose homeostasis.
- Clinical Implication: this indicates that its benefits extend beyond mere fat reduction to a more favorable metabolic state.
- a notable finding is tesamorelin's ability to improve "fat quality" independently of changes in fat quantity. stanley et al. (2021) demonstrated that tesamorelin increased both visceral adipose tissue (vat) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (sat) density in people living with hiv (plwh).
- Clinical Implication: this suggests a healthier adipose tissue function, which is a more nuanced and beneficial outcome than simple fat mass reduction. this emphasis on fat quality could be a valuable differentiator for a wellness-focused product.
- this phase 2 randomized, open-label clinical trial explored the potential of tesamorelin to mitigate neurocognitive impairment (nci) in hiv-infected individuals with abdominal obesity and viral suppression. while tesamorelin significantly reduced waist circumference, the primary outcome of improved neurocognitive performance did not show a statistically significant difference between the tesamorelin and standard of care groups after 6 months. igf-1 levels increased in the tesamorelin group, but these changes did not correlate with cognitive improvements in this specific study. the authors noted limitations including insufficient power and the open-label design.
- this exploratory secondary analysis of two clinical trials investigated the effects of tesamorelin on skeletal muscle fat and area in people living with hiv (plwh) with abdominal obesity. the study found that tesamorelin significantly increased the density (less fat) and area of several truncal muscle groups in responders (those who experienced a significant decrease in visceral adipose tissue).
- Clinical Implication: this study suggests that tesamorelin, in addition to reducing visceral fat, can also improve muscle quality and quantity in plwh, potentially benefiting overall body composition and health. further research is needed to understand the long-term impact of these muscle changes on daily life.
Mechanism of Action
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6981288/
Primary Research Areas
- Reduce Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT) in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy
- Insulin Resistance
- Obesity
- Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)
- GHRH Receptor Agonist
- Stimulate GH/IGF-1
- Improve Metabolic Profile
- Improve Fat Quality
