Leptin vs Serostim (growth hormone) vs TH9507 (growth hormone releasing factor)

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http://www.natap.org/2007/CROI/croi_80.htmLeptin Reduced VAT by 30%/Improved Metabolics in Pilot StudyCROI, Feb 2007, Los Angeles"Improvements in Hepatic and Adipocyte Insulin Sensitivity, Dyslipidemia, and Visceral Fat during Leptin Treatment in HIV-infected Men with Lipoatrophy and Hypoleptinemia"Kathleen Mulligan

Comments:

When it comes to visceral fat reduction in 6 months, this product looks as good as Serostim (human growth hormone) at 3 mg/day and better than the Theratecnologies' growth hormone releasing factor TH9507 . The dose used in this tiny pilot was 0.01 mg/kg twice daily for 3 months, followed by 0.03 mg/kg twice daily for 3 months. I wonder how the cost of leptin would compare with the unknown price of TH9507 (which will up for FDA approval in the coming months.) We know that the cost of 3 mg a day of Serostim ( the lipodystrophy dose they tried to get approved unsuccessfully) cost $12,000 for 6 months of use and that 20% of people who wanted to enroll in the Serostim HARS study were rejected due to impaired baseline glucose tolerance.

Unlike Serostim, leptin does not seem to have side effects in this study ( although the abstract below mentions high blood pressure) and no negative effects on glucose tolerance. Not sure if we really know what the side effects of TH9507 are, although I have heard that mild edema and joint aches are caused by this product, but at a much lesser degree than Serostim.

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About Leptin:

Leptin, a hormone discovered in 1994, is produced by fat cells. In general, leptin levels in the blood are proportional to an individual's level of body fat. At work in the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls appetite and other basic functions, high levels of leptin generally suppress the appetite and stimulate fat-burning. This function of leptin may be less effective in people who gain weight easily. When caloric intake is reduced, leptin levels decrease and signal the hypothalamus to produce NPY which stimulates appetite and lowers the body's metabolism. High leptin levels may provide one mechanism to explain the link between obesity and hypertension. Overton theorizes that leptin may contribute to hypertension because of its role in stimulating the body to burn fat. "The way it does that," he says, "is by increasing the "fight or flight" nervous system-the sympathetic nervous system. The activation of the sympathetic nervous system may also increase blood pressure and lead to hypertension."

From http://www.rinr.fsu.edu/springsummer98/departments/abstracts.html

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.