Research compound overview

Tesamorelin: Structure, Research Overview and Specifications

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). It contains all 44 amino acids of human GHRH, with a trans-3-hexenoyl group added to the N-terminus to make it more stable. It is one of the few GHRH analogues with extensive randomised clinical-trial data. This page summarises its chemistry, mechanism, published research and the specifications of the material we supply.

ClassGHRH analogue

Length44 amino acids

Mol. weight≈ 5135.9 g/mol

CAS218949-48-5

View Tesamorelin 5mg →Read the research ↓

For in vitro research use only. Not for human or animal use. Nothing on this page is medical advice.

What is tesamorelin?

Natural GHRH is a 44-amino-acid hypothalamic hormone. It signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone (GH). In circulation it is broken down within minutes, mainly by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4). Tesamorelin keeps the full human GHRH sequence but adds a trans-3-hexenoyl group to the N-terminal tyrosine. This makes it more resistant to enzymatic breakdown while keeping activity at the GHRH receptor.

Because it acts upstream, on the pituitary, rather than supplying growth hormone directly, tesamorelin is used in research to study pulsatile GH release, the GH/IGF-1 axis and the regulation of visceral fat.

Chemical data

Development history

Tesamorelin was developed by Theratechnologies (Canada) under the code TH9507. In 2010 the US FDA approved it, as Egrifta, for reducing excess abdominal fat in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. A marketing authorisation application in the European Union was later withdrawn before approval. It remains one of the most clinically studied GHRH analogues.

Mechanism of action

• GHRH receptor agonism. Tesamorelin binds GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells and stimulates synthesis and release of endogenous growth hormone.
• Physiological pulsatility. Because it acts through the pituitary, GH release stays subject to normal feedback, including by somatostatin and IGF-1.
• IGF-1 axis. Increased GH leads to raised circulating IGF-1, the main mediator of many GH effects.
• Lipolysis. GH-driven lipolysis is thought to underlie the reductions in visceral adipose tissue reported in clinical studies.

What the published research shows

Visceral adipose tissue

Phase III randomised, placebo-controlled trials in people with HIV-associated abdominal fat accumulation reported significant reductions in visceral adipose tissue, measured by CT, compared with placebo. Analyses of these trials linked reductions in visceral fat with improvements in some metabolic markers, such as triglycerides and adiponectin.

Liver fat

A randomised clinical trial published in JAMA (Stanley et al., 2014) reported reductions in liver fat alongside visceral fat. A later multicentre trial in The Lancet HIV (2019) studied tesamorelin in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV and reported reduced hepatic fat fraction and less fibrosis progression over 12 months.

Other research areas

GHRH analogues including tesamorelin have also been studied in relation to cognitive function in older adults and to body composition. These lines of research are smaller and less established.

Limitations of the evidence

• Most clinical data come from people with HIV. Findings cannot be assumed to apply to other populations.
• Reported reductions in visceral fat were generally not maintained after treatment stopped in the trials.
• Raising GH and IGF-1 carries known theoretical risks, for example to glucose metabolism, which trials monitored.
• Long-term outcome data, such as cardiovascular events, are limited.

Regulatory status

Tesamorelin is a prescription medicine in the United States (Egrifta). It is not a licensed medicine in the UK and is not authorised by the EMA. GHRH and its analogues are prohibited in sport under the WADA Prohibited List (S2, growth-hormone-releasing factors). Sterling Research supplies tesamorelin only as a research reagent for in vitro laboratory use.

Storage and handling in the lab

• Store lyophilised powder at −20 °C, sealed and protected from light and moisture.
• Let the vial reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation.
• Prepare solutions to your laboratory’s validated protocols, with appropriate PPE and aseptic technique.
• Large peptides such as tesamorelin can adsorb to surfaces and aggregate. Follow your protocol for buffer choice and low-binding labware.

Frequently asked questions

What type of peptide is tesamorelin?

It is a growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analogue: the full 44-amino-acid human GHRH sequence with an added trans-3-hexenoyl group.

How is tesamorelin different from growth hormone?

Tesamorelin does not contain growth hormone. It stimulates the pituitary to release its own growth hormone, so release stays under normal physiological feedback.

What is the difference between tesamorelin and CJC-1295?

Both are GHRH analogues. Tesamorelin is the full 44-amino-acid sequence with an N-terminal modification. CJC-1295 is a modified 29-amino-acid GHRH fragment, and in its “with DAC” form it binds albumin to extend its half-life.

Is tesamorelin approved in the UK?

No. It is approved as a prescription medicine in the United States but is not licensed in the UK or authorised by the EMA.

Is tesamorelin banned in sport?

Yes. GHRH and its analogues are prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List.

References

1. Stanley TL, et al. Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2014;312(4):380–389. PubMed 25038357
2. Stanley TL, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre trial. Lancet HIV. 2019. thelancet.com
3. Reduction in visceral adiposity is associated with an improved metabolic profile in HIV-infected patients receiving tesamorelin. Clin Infect Dis. 2012. PubMed 22495074
4. European Medicines Agency. Withdrawal of the marketing authorisation application for Egrifta (tesamorelin). ema.europa.eu

This page is for scientific information only. Sterling Research Group Ltd supplies tesamorelin strictly for in vitro laboratory research. Not for human or animal use, and not for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes.