April 25, 2011

Egrifta Reduces Inflammation as Well as Gut Fat

Egrifta (tesamorelin), a drug approved to reduce gut fat accumulation, also reduces cellular inflammation, according to a study published online April 21 in the journal AIDS. These data suggest that the drug might also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in those who achieve significant gut fat loss.

Numerous studies have now confirmed that people are at significantly higher risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes when they accumulate fat primarily in the abdomen. This condition, called metabolic syndrome, is actually one of the strongest predictors of heart attacks as people get older. Fortunately, when people are able to reduce gut fat accumulation, their risk of CVD drops.

Metabolic syndrome is more than just gut fat accumulation, however. People with metabolic syndrome also usually have increases in markers associated with cellular inflammation. Such inflammation makes it difficult for the blood vessels to regulate blood pressure, placing additional strain on the heart. It also leads to the accumulation of plaques in the arteries, which can break free and lead to strokes.

Thus far, the drug Egrifta has been proved to reduce gut fat in people with HIV-related fat accumulation. What hasn’t been reported is whether Egrifta therapy also helps reduce inflammation.

To explore this question, Takara Stanley, MD, and her colleagues from the Program in Nutritional Metabolism at Harvard Medical School in Boston, tested stored blood samples from key studies that led to Egrifta’s approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010. The primary inflammatory markers that Stanley and her team focused on were plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) antigen and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), both of which have been associated with cardiovascular disease in studies of HIV-negative people.

The analysis included 410 people: 273 who received Egrifta for at least 26 weeks and 137 who received a placebo. As has been reported before, treatment with Egrifta led to an average loss of gut fat of about 15 percent.

Stanley and her colleagues found that when Egrifta led to gut fat reductions, it also led to reductions in PAI-1 and tPA. This held up even when the team controlled for factors such as age, gender and race. It also held up when the team controlled for a protein called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which can exert its own independent effect on inflammation.

Though longer term and larger studies will be needed to assess Egrifta’s potential effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease, the authors point out that the results from their study are a hopeful sign.

They conclude: “These data also have potential clinical implications and suggest that use of tesamorelin in patients with HIV and excess abdominal fat accumulation may result in an overall improvement in critical inflammatory and fibrinolytic markers, which may improve overall cardiovascular risk.”

Search: Egrifta, tesamorelin, metabolic syndrome, abdominal fat, gut fat, inflammation, Takara Stanley, Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Harvard University, Boston, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, PAI-1, tissue plasminogen activator, tPA

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Previous Comments:

Steven, Atlanta, 2012-05-03 05:42:03
All this whining about mixing the medication?! C'mon people, it's not nearly as complicated as making a protein shake!!

Tom, Atlanta, 2011-06-03 18:36:38
I am very pleased with the results of Egrifta

Johan Pretorius, South Africa, 2011-04-29 01:15:39
Can please advise if there is any supplier in my country where i can purchase Egrifta

Mike, Bmore, 2011-04-28 17:42:36
I wonder who paid for that study?

jerry, LA, 2011-04-28 15:48:47
If you've ever taken Fuzeon like myself for many years, this sounds like the same mixing process. It's no big deal if the drug really works without too many side effects. I want to try it, but since my rear shows pre-cancerous cells, my doctor isn't convinced. I HATE THIS FAT HARD PAINFUL GUT!

Michael, Fort Lauderdale, 2011-04-28 14:58:17
I've been on Egrifta for over two months now. It was covered by insurance. The mixing of the drug doesn't make sense with the changing of the needles, etc., but overall it is not that big of a deal to mix and inject the medication. It is a small needle and seldom hurts. I think it is worth the effort to lose 15-20% abdominal fat that can't be lost by diet and exercise - that is accumulated by HIV itself or because of the AIDS Drugs.

Danny, Chicago, 2011-04-28 10:01:59
I find it amazing how articles on Egrifta NEVER seem to mention that the patient needs to mix the solution daily and then inject their stomachs with a needle every day to use the drug. All for 10-15% reduction in belly fat. Will the med be covered by insurance? I think it is much ado about nothing. I've reduced my HIV belly fat by losing weight!

bonus round, , 2011-04-27 22:57:18
good results for me so far on shots 2 x week. I feel I have more energy & strength. which is VERY important for self care. I have had a reduction of disfiguring "male pregnancy" look. I am not anxious to increase my dosing as I have arthritis. I had been off Serostim for a year and find the results of the drugs very similar for me.

Jim Guinnessey, , 2011-04-27 08:21:28
The problem now with Egrifta is the tedious if not baffling preparation of the drug necessary before the actual injection. One must struggle with needles in and out of tiny bottles to be mixed with water and powder-like substances which must then be made clear and free of air bubbles. As a daily routine, I think, it is self defeating. Make it easier

Michael, Haslett, 2011-04-27 02:24:33
My doctor put me on Egrifta but I was not able to take it as I ended up with the hives within the first week of taking it. I sure hope they can find another medication that will do the same thing but without the side effects as egrifta has so many side effects that most people can not use it.