“We have previously shown that the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with a decrease in skeletal muscle density (greater fat accumulation), suggesting that gains in lean body mass seen in many ART studies may reflect gains in low quality, fatty muscle. Here, we explore whether skeletal muscle density and area are associated with markers of inflammation and immune activation.

 

Greater fat infiltration within the psoas muscle (lower density) and greater loss in lean psoas muscle area were associated with higher inflammation and immune activation, which may portend important effects on muscle function and cardiometabolic risk.

 

We have previously shown that in PWH, administration of tesamorelin, a growth hormone analog, resulted in increases in muscle density and lean area. The increases in lean area seen with tesamorelin were suggested to be due to IGF-1 effects rather than the reduction

in VAT.”

This is another therapeutic benefit for Tesamorelin so apart from reducing visceral fat it increases the muscle density and reducing cardiometobolic risks.

Dr. Stanley is currently evaluating Tesamorelin  effect on NAFLD and associated cardiovascular risk.