Kali Research LLCResearch Access Portal

All compounds are designated Research Use Only (RUO). Not for human consumption, veterinary use, or clinical application.

Research Compound CatalogPerformance & Cellular ResearchTesamorelin Research Profile
Performance & Cellular Research
Research Use Only

Synthetic Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) Analogue

Tesamorelin

Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone (GHRH) Analogue

Research StatusLiterature Reviewed Through: July 2026
Research Use Only
Updated Periodically

Research Profiles are reviewed periodically as new peer-reviewed literature becomes available.

Available Strength
2 mg / vial
CAS Number
218949-48-5
Performance & Cellular Research laboratory research
Performance & Cellular Research
Research at a Glance

Major published findings — summarized in under 30 seconds.

1
Significant reductions in visceral (abdominal) fat have been observed in clinical studies.
2
Stimulation of growth hormone secretion in a physiological pulsatile pattern has been documented.
3
Increases in IGF-1 levels — a downstream marker of growth hormone activity — have been reported.
4
Improvements in lipid profiles have been observed in some study populations.
5
The compound has been evaluated in FDA-approved clinical trials for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, providing a robust clinical data set.

What Is This Compound?

Tesamorelin is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring hormone called growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), which is produced in the brain and signals the pituitary gland to release growth hormone. The natural version of this hormone breaks down very quickly in the body, which limits its usefulness as a research tool. Tesamorelin was designed with a small chemical modification that makes it more resistant to breakdown, extending the time it remains active. Researchers use it to study how the growth hormone system works and to investigate its effects on fat metabolism, particularly visceral fat. It has been evaluated in FDA-approved clinical trials and has a well-characterized clinical pharmacology profile.

Continue below to see what published research has observed so far.

What Has Research Found?

1
Significant reductions in visceral (abdominal) fat have been observed in clinical studies.
2
Stimulation of growth hormone secretion in a physiological pulsatile pattern has been documented.
3
Increases in IGF-1 levels — a downstream marker of growth hormone activity — have been reported.
4
Improvements in lipid profiles have been observed in some study populations.
5
The compound has been evaluated in FDA-approved clinical trials for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, providing a robust clinical data set.

Want to understand why these findings occur? Continue to the scientific overview below.

The Science Behind It

Tesamorelin is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of the full 44-amino acid sequence of human GHRH with a trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus. This modification confers resistance to dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) cleavage, significantly extending the peptide's plasma half-life compared to native GHRH. Tesamorelin is studied in research contexts related to growth hormone secretion, IGF-1 regulation, and visceral adipose tissue metabolism.

Mechanism of Action

Tesamorelin binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating the pulsatile release of endogenous growth hormone. The released GH subsequently stimulates hepatic IGF-1 production, which mediates many of the downstream anabolic and lipolytic effects attributed to the GH/IGF-1 axis. Unlike direct GH administration, Tesamorelin preserves the physiological pulsatile pattern of GH secretion and the normal feedback regulation by somatostatin, making it a useful tool for studying GHRH receptor pharmacology and GH axis dynamics.

Key Research Characteristics
Full 44-amino acid GHRH sequence with N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid modification for DPP-IV resistance
Extends plasma half-life from minutes (native GHRH) to approximately 30 minutes
Preserves physiological pulsatile GH secretion pattern — unlike direct GH administration
Maintains normal somatostatin feedback regulation of the GH axis
Studied for visceral adipose tissue reduction via GH/IGF-1 axis activation
FDA-approved for HIV-associated lipodystrophy — robust clinical pharmacology data available

Research Applications

GHRH receptor pharmacology and pituitary biology
Growth hormone axis regulation research
Visceral adipose tissue metabolism studies
IGF-1 signaling and anabolic biology research
DPP-IV resistance and peptide stability studies

Compound Specifications

Available Strength
2 mg / vial
Appearance
White lyophilized powder
Purity
≥98% (HPLC)
Storage Conditions
−20 °C; protect from light
Storage After Reconstitution
4 °C up to 24 hours; use promptly
Molecular Formula
C₂₂₁H₃₆₆N₆₂O₆₅S
Molecular Weight
5135.8 g/mol
CAS Number
218949-48-5
Research Status
Research Use Only (RUO)

Scientific References

1.Falutz J, et al. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in patients with HIV. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(23):2359–2370.
2.Stanley TL, et al. Effects of tesamorelin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation. AIDS. 2012;26(18):2409–2418.
3.Falutz J, et al. Long-term safety and effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in HIV patients with abdominal fat accumulation. AIDS. 2008;22(14):1719–1728.
4.[Placeholder] Peer-reviewed publication on GHRH receptor binding kinetics for Tesamorelin.
5.[Placeholder] Technical reference: DPP-IV resistance mechanism and half-life data for Tesamorelin.

Placeholder entries are reserved for peer-reviewed publications. All references are provided for scientific context only.

Current State of Research

Research Use Only

All information presented on this Research Profile is intended exclusively for laboratory research purposes. This compound is designated Research Use Only (RUO) and is not intended for human consumption, veterinary use, or any clinical application. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition.

This material is sold solely for in vitro research and laboratory investigation by qualified scientific personnel. Kali Research LLC makes no representations regarding the safety or efficacy of this compound for any use outside of controlled laboratory research settings. Researchers are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable laws and institutional regulations governing the use of research compounds.

Not for human consumptionNot for veterinary useNot for clinical applicationQualified researchers onlyIn vitro / laboratory use
Research Inquiry

Request Information

Need additional technical documentation on Tesamorelin? Submit an inquiry and a member of our team will respond.

Research Profile
Specifications
Available Strength2 mg / vial
AppearanceWhite lyophilized powder
Purity≥98% (HPLC)
Storage Conditions−20 °C; protect from light
Storage After Reconstitution4 °C up to 24 hours; use promptly
Molecular FormulaC₂₂₁H₃₆₆N₆₂O₆₅S
Molecular Weight5135.8 g/mol
CAS Number218949-48-5

Need additional technical documentation? Submit an inquiry and our team will respond.

Research Use Only (RUO). Not for human consumption, veterinary use, or clinical application.