Tesamorelin is a synthetic peptide that belongs to a class of medications known as growth hormone-releasing hormones (GHRHs) [1, 2, 3].
Because it’s virtually identical to endogenous GHRH in chemical structure, tesamorelin has essentially the same effect as GHRH. It acts as a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue that stimulates the release of human growth hormone (HGH). In 2010, Tesamorelin was approved by the US FDA for the treatment of lipodystrophy in HIV patients, Lipodystrophy refers to a syndrome that involves changes in fat distribution and metabolism, often seen in individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for the management of HIV infection.
Why is HGH a big deal?
HGH is essential for humans — it’s involved in practically all of the processes related to creating and repairing new tissue [4]. It stimulates cell growth and reproduction.
That means that it’s involved in how children develop into adults and affect their growth. But more fundamentally, it’s what’s at work when muscles are repairing themselves after a workout, when skin is regenerating old cells, and when the body is producing immune cells.
HGH has been implicated in a great number of essential processes:
- Increasing muscle mass
- Promoting lipolysis (the metabolism of fat into energy)
- Increasing protein synthesis
- Stimulating organ growth
- Helping keep body temperature balanced
HGH levels drop with age
As we age, the concentration of HGH in our blood declines. That’s part of the reason our body is slower to recover and regenerate as we get older.
Tesamorelin increases HGH concentrations
Tesamorelin is one of a family of GHRHs, including pralmorelin [5] and EP1572 [6], that work by stimulating the subject’s body to produce and secrete more HGH, leading to higher levels of concentration. Increased HGH means increased ability for the subject’s body to grow, regenerate and stay healthy.