Maple Tesamorelin (trans-3-hexenoic acid-GHRH(1-44)-NH2) is a synthetic 44-amino acid peptide analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). Developed by Theratechnologies Inc. (Montreal, Canada), tesamorelin received FDA approval in 2010 under the brand name Egrifta for reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy, making it one of the few GHRH analogues to complete the full regulatory approval pathway. In research contexts, tesamorelin serves as a reference compound for studying GHRH receptor pharmacology, pulsatile GH secretion, and the metabolic effects of GH axis modulation.
Maple Research Labs supplies research-grade tesamorelin to Canadian laboratories, universities, and documented research buyers. Every batch ships with an independent third-party Certificate of Analysis confirming identity and purity.
For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.
Molecular Profile
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sequence | trans-3-hexenoic acid-Tyr-Ala-Asp-Ala-Ile-Phe-Thr-Asn-Ser-Tyr-Arg-Lys-Val-Leu-Gly-Gln-Leu-Ser-Ala-Arg-Lys-Leu-Leu-Gln-Asp-Ile-Met-Ser-Arg-Gln-Gln-Gly-Glu-Ser-Asn-Gln-Glu-Arg-Gly-Ala-Arg-Ala-Arg-Leu-NH2 |
| CAS Number | 218949-48-5 |
| Molecular Formula | C221H366N72O67S |
| Molecular Weight | 5135.9 Da |
| Modification | N-terminal trans-3-hexenoic acid conjugation |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC) |
| Storage | -20°C, lyophilized, desiccated, protected from light |
The trans-3-hexenoic acid modification at the N-terminus distinguishes tesamorelin from native GHRH(1-44). This lipophilic modification was engineered to increase resistance to DPP-IV enzymatic cleavage at the Tyr1-Ala2 bond (the primary degradation site of endogenous GHRH) while maintaining full agonist activity at the GHRH receptor. Unlike CJC-1295, which uses amino acid substitutions for DPP-IV resistance, tesamorelin retains the full 44-amino acid GHRH sequence and relies solely on the N-terminal chemical modification for metabolic stability.
Primary Research Mechanisms
GHRH Receptor Agonism and Pulsatile GH Release
Tesamorelin binds and activates the GHRH receptor on anterior pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating growth hormone synthesis and secretion through the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP signaling cascade. Unlike CJC-1295 DAC, which produces tonic (sustained) GH elevation through albumin-mediated half-life extension, tesamorelin produces pulsatile GH release patterns that more closely approximate physiological GH secretion. This distinction is pharmacologically significant because pulsatile and tonic GH patterns activate different downstream JAK2/STAT5 signaling kinetics and produce different tissue-level responses in preclinical models.
Visceral Adipose Tissue Research
The primary clinical research context for tesamorelin involves visceral adipose tissue (VAT) reduction. In the registrational trials that led to FDA approval, tesamorelin reduced trunk fat by approximately 18% over 26 weeks in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy. The mechanism involves GH-mediated lipolysis in visceral adipocytes, which express higher densities of GH receptors compared to subcutaneous adipocytes. This receptor density differential provides a mechanistic basis for the preferential visceral fat reduction observed in studies.
IGF-1 Axis Stimulation
Tesamorelin-induced GH secretion stimulates hepatic production of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). In clinical studies, tesamorelin increased IGF-1 levels into the upper physiological range. The GH/IGF-1 axis is a central research focus in aging, metabolism, and body composition studies. Tesamorelin’s ability to stimulate this axis through the physiological GHRH pathway (rather than through exogenous GH administration) makes it a useful tool for studying endogenous GH axis capacity.
Cognitive Function Research
Emerging research has explored tesamorelin’s effects on cognitive function. A 2021 study (Baker et al., published in Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology) examined GHRH administration in older adults and reported improvements in executive function measures. The proposed mechanism involves GH and IGF-1 effects on hippocampal neuroplasticity, cerebral blood flow, and amyloid beta clearance pathways. This research area is preliminary but represents an active direction for GHRH-class compound investigation.
Tesamorelin vs. CJC-1295: GHRH Analogue Comparison
| Feature | Tesamorelin | CJC-1295 (No DAC) | CJC-1295 DAC |
|---|---|---|---|
| GHRH sequence | Full length (1-44) | Truncated (1-29) | Truncated (1-29) + DAC |
| DPP-IV resistance | N-terminal hexenoic acid | 4 amino acid substitutions | 4 substitutions + albumin binding |
| Half-life | ~26 minutes | ~30 minutes | ~6-8 days |
| GH release pattern | Pulsatile | Pulsatile | Tonic/sustained |
| FDA approved | Yes (Egrifta, 2010) | No | No |
| Primary research use | VAT reduction, GH axis, cognition | Combination studies with GHRP | Sustained GH elevation models |
Product Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Peptide | Tesamorelin |
| CAS Number | 218949-48-5 |
| Purity | ≥99% (HPLC verified) |
| Form | Lyophilized powder |
| Available Sizes | 5mg |
| COA | Third-party Certificate of Analysis included with every order |
| Storage | -20°C, desiccated, protected from light |
| Shipping | Same-day processing from Canada |
| Use | For research purposes only |
View Tesamorelin product page and COA | How to read a Certificate of Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is tesamorelin and how does it work?
Tesamorelin is a synthetic 44-amino acid analogue of human growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) with a trans-3-hexenoic acid N-terminal modification for DPP-IV resistance. It binds and activates GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone secretion through the adenylyl cyclase/cAMP pathway. It is the only GHRH analogue to have received FDA approval.
How does tesamorelin differ from CJC-1295?
Tesamorelin uses the full-length GHRH(1-44) sequence with a chemical N-terminal modification, while CJC-1295 uses a truncated GHRH(1-29) sequence with amino acid substitutions. Both produce pulsatile GH release (in their non-DAC forms) with similar half-lives (~26-30 minutes). The key distinction is tesamorelin’s FDA-approved status and its extensive clinical trial database, which provides a larger body of safety and efficacy data for research reference.
Can I purchase tesamorelin for research in Canada?
Yes. Maple Research Labs supplies research-grade tesamorelin verified at 99%+ purity via independent third-party HPLC analysis. All orders ship from within Canada with same-day processing and include a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis. Tesamorelin is sold exclusively for in-vitro and preclinical research use.
Related Research Resources
- CJC-1295 Research — GHRH(1-29) analogue, DAC vs No DAC
- Ipamorelin Research — Selective GHS-R1a agonist
- HGH vs Tesamorelin Comparison — Exogenous GH vs GHRH agonism
- Purity Testing Methods — HPLC and mass spectrometry explained
- All Research Peptides — Complete compound catalog
For research purposes only. Not for human consumption. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use.