Tesamorelin Improves Body Composition and Liver Fat in HIV Lipodystrophy

Individuals living with HIV often develop HIV-associated lipodystrophy, a complex syndrome characterized by abnormal fat distribution (e.g., visceral fat accumulation), metabolic dysfunction, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This condition significantly impacts quality of life and long-term health outcomes. While various interventions have been explored, a comprehensive treatment addressing both body composition and metabolic aspects remains crucial. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Tesamorelin across body composition, hepatic fat, and metabolic parameters in this patient population.

The meta-analysis revealed significant and consistent benefits of Tesamorelin across multiple domains. Treatment with Tesamorelin led to a substantial reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), with an average decrease of 15-20% compared to placebo. Furthermore, hepatic fat content showed a significant improvement, demonstrating a 30-40% reduction in treated patients. Metabolic parameters also improved, including a 10-15% decrease in triglyceride levels and a 5-8% reduction in total cholesterol. The overall safety profile was favorable, with most adverse events being mild to moderate. > The most impactful finding was the consistent and significant reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT), a key driver of metabolic complications in HIV-associated lipodystrophy, which was reduced by an average of 18% (p<0.001) compared to control groups.