Rx+Research

The growth hormone Tesamorelin can help prevent antiretroviral-related fat loss from the limbs and extremities as well as reduce build-ups of belly fat, according to a study presented at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. -------------------- Treatment with human growth hormone can reactivate the thymus in long-term HIVers and roughly double the number of CD4 cells produced in the body, according to a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The cellular boost persisted for at least one year after the hormone injections. -------------------- For every three months that a switch from a failing nonnucleoside-based regimen is delayed, the risk of death rises by almost 25%, researchers reported at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. -------------------- A 48-week study shows that Norvir-boosted Reyataz is as effective as Kaletra in reducing viral loads in treatment-naive adults. Reyataz is currently approved only for second-line HIV treatment. -------------------- Adults taking ribavirin to treat HIV coinfection with hepatitis C virus experience better HCV control when their regimens include Viread instead of Retrovir or Ziagen, according to data presented at the 15th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. -------------------- Disappointing Phase III clinical trial data show that the Population Council's experimental vaginal microbicide Carraguard, derived from a compound in seaweed, does not protect against HIV infection.