Safety and metabolic effects of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue, in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE Use of growth hormone is associated with side effects, including insulin resistance. The objective of this study was to determine whether tesamorelin, a stabilized growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue, would alter insulin sensitivity or control of diabetes. DESIGN A 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled study of 53 patients with type 2 diabetes. Three treatment groups: placebo, 1 and 2 mg tesamorelin. MEASUREMENTS Fasting glucose, glucose and insulin from oral glucose tolerance test, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), home blood glucose, insulin-like growth factor-1, and lipids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Relative insulin response following oral ingestion of glucose. RESULTS No significant differences were observed between groups in relative insulin response over the 12-week treatment period. At Week 12, fasting glucose, HbA1c and overall diabetes control were not significantly different between groups. In addition, relevant modifications in diabetes medications were similar between groups. Total cholesterol (-0.3±0.6 mmol/L) and non-HDL cholesterol (-0.3±0.5 mmol/L) significantly decreased from baseline to Week 12 in the tesamorelin 2 mg group (p<0.05 vs. placebo). No patient discontinued the study due to loss of diabetes control. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of type 2 diabetic patients with tesamorelin for 12 weeks did not alter insulin response or glycemic control. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01264497.