Tesamorelin is a synthetic form of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with the amino acid sequence:
Ac-Ser-Glu-His-Pro-Gly-Pro
GHRH is a naturally occurring hormone that is produced by the hypothalamus in the brain. It stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.
Tesamorelin differs from naturally occurring GHRH in two ways:
- It has a slightly different amino acid sequence.
- It has a longer half-life, which means that it stays in the body longer.
The longer half-life of tesamorelin makes it more effective at increasing growth hormone levels than naturally occurring GHRH.
Tesamorelin is a small peptide molecule with a molecular weight of 701.8 g/mol. It is a soluble powder that can be dissolved in water or other aqueous solutions.
Tesamorelin is a linear peptide, meaning that its amino acids are bonded together in a straight line. The amino acids in tesamorelin are linked together by peptide bonds.
The peptide bonds in tesamorelin are formed by a condensation reaction between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the next amino acid.
The peptide bonds in tesamorelin give the molecule a rigid structure. This rigid structure is important for the biological activity of tesamorelin.
Tesamorelin interacts with GHRH receptors on the pituitary gland. The binding of tesamorelin to GHRH receptors stimulates the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.
Growth hormone is a polypeptide hormone that is produced by the pituitary gland. It plays an important role in body growth and development, as well as in metabolism and body composition.
Tesamorelin is used to reduce excess visceral fat (belly fat) in HIV-infected individuals with lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy is a condition that causes changes in the way body fat is distributed in people with HIV infection. People with HIV lipodystrophy may have too much fat in their abdomen and upper back, and too little fat in their arms, legs, and face.
Tesamorelin is also being investigated for the treatment of a number of other conditions, including:
- Obesity
- Growth hormone deficiency
- Cachexia (a wasting condition that can occur with cancer or other chronic diseases)
- Frailty in older adults
The results of early studies are promising, and tesamorelin has the potential to be a valuable new treatment for a variety of conditions that are associated with changes in body composition and metabolism.
Here is a more detailed overview of the structure of tesamorelin:
- Tesamorelin is a linear peptide with a molecular weight of 701.8 g/mol.
- It is a soluble powder that can be dissolved in water or other aqueous solutions.
- Tesamorelin is composed of six amino acids: serine, glutamic acid, histidine, proline, glycine, and proline.
- The amino acids in tesamorelin are linked together by peptide bonds.
- The peptide bonds in tesamorelin give the molecule a rigid structure.
- This rigid structure is important for the biological activity of tesamorelin.
Tesamorelin is a promising new drug with the potential to treat a variety of conditions associated with changes in body composition and metabolism.
