Growth HormoneCardiology5 min read
Hexarelin: The Most Potent Synthetic GH Secretagogue in Research
Hexarelin is the most potent known synthetic GHRP. Beyond GH secretion it shows cardioprotective properties via CD36. Research overview.
Growth HormoneMetabolism
Tesamorelin in Lipodystrophy Research: 15 Years After FDA Approval
6 min read
15 Years of Tesamorelin: A Scientific Assessment
When the FDA approved tesamorelin (Egrifta) in 2010 for reducing visceral adiposity in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, it was a milestone — the first approved GHRH analogue ever. Research since then has substantially expanded the scope of activity: from HIV lipodystrophy to general visceral adiposity, to myosteatosis, and currently to MASLD (Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease).
- FDA approval: 2010 for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
- Half-life: ~26–38 minutes (extended by trans-3-hexenoic acid modification)
- Most effective clinical dose: 2 mg daily subcutaneous
- Pulsatile GH secretion is physiologically preserved
New Indications: Beyond HIV Lipodystrophy
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver / MASLD
Smaller clinical studies have investigated whether tesamorelin is effective in non-HIV-positive patients with visceral adiposity and fatty liver. A pilot study by Falutz et al. (2021) showed significant reductions in intrahepatic lipids in HIV-negative participants with abdominal obesity. These data are promising but not yet sufficient for a label extension.
Myosteatosis: Fat in Muscle
The study by Stanley et al. (JCEM 2019) revealed that tesamorelin not only reduces subcutaneous and visceral fat but also intramuscular lipid accumulation (myosteatosis) — a biomarker of metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. This finding positions tesamorelin as a potentially relevant compound beyond classical GH-axis effects.
Physiological GH Secretion as an Advantage
A significant advantage of tesamorelin over exogenous GH is the preservation of the natural feedback mechanism: since tesamorelin stimulates the pituitary, negative feedback via IGF-1 remains intact. Exogenous GH bypasses this mechanism and leads to supraphysiological IGF-1 levels. This makes tesamorelin the more precise research tool for questions on GH-axis regulation.
Studien Peptide provides tesamorelin as a high-purity lyophilised peptide for authorised research laboratories. It is intended exclusively for scientific in vitro and in vivo research.- ⚗️ Research note