The Aidsmap News website recently reported on some surprising HGH side effects that may cause increased demand for Human Growth Hormone. Writer Gus Cairns wrote last month, "The eleventh European AIDS Conference (EACS) heard promising results from a trial of tesamorelin, a drug described by conference co-chair Dr Santiago Moreno as “the first really promising drug we have to reduce fat accumulation caused by HIV therapy.” Tesamorelin, made by biotech Theratechnologies, was previously known as TH 9507. Interim results from halfway through a year-long study were presented at the CROI conference in early 2007, but the EACS conference was hearing the final 52-week results. Tesamorelin is a Growth-Hormone Releasing Factor (GHRF) analogue. GHRF is a natural body chemical that acts on the pituitary gland and stimulates it to release Human Growth Hormone (HGH). Artificially-engineered recombinant HGH (somatotropin) has already been used to treat the abdominal fat accumulation (hypertrophy) associated with HIV treatment, and has been the only substance that works." Although HGH products have been widely used to treat other medical conditions, and Human Growth Hormone is also frequently abused by athletes seeking to build up muscle mass rapidly, this is the first indication that HGH products show promise in treating obesity.
