Article : Tesamorelin Modestly Reduces Liver Fat

Abigail Zuger, MD


A 6-month study showed a mean 2% reduction with the drug.

Tesamorelin (Egrifta), a growth hormone–releasing factor analogue, was approved almost 4 years ago for treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy and visceral fat accumulation (NEJM JW AIDS Clin Care Nov 22 2010). Visceral adiposity is often associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but premarketing studies did not specifically address the response of this common HIV-associated condition to the drug.

In a small double-blind study, 50 HIV-infected adults with abnormal abdominal fat deposits were randomized to receive tesamorelin or placebo. After 6 months, the tesamorelin group showed not only a significant decrease in mean visceral adipose tissue but also a small but significant decrease in liver fat (about 2%), whereas the placebo group showed slight increases in both of these measurements. The tesamorelin group also experienced some of the characteristic changes in glucose homeostasis associated with the drug, including a rise in fasting glucose during the first weeks on the drug, a small initial decrease in insulin sensitivity, and a small but significant rise in hemoglobin A1c after 6 months. Otherwise, no untoward side effects occurred.


Citation(s):

Stanley TL et al. Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2014 Jul 23/30; 312:380.

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