Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed an experimental drug called DT-109 that reversed severe fatty liver disease in animal studies by targeting the gut rather than the liver directly. The compound works by reducing harmful gut bacteria, strengthening the intestinal lining, and preventing inflammatory substances from entering the liver. The findings, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, demonstrate a new approach to treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a serious form of fatty liver disease affecting approximately 7% of the global population.
MASH causes excess fat accumulation in the liver, leading to inflammation and cellular damage that can progress to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure. The research revealed that DT-109 interrupts a damaging cycle by reducing levels of harmful bacteria that produce ammonia, which weakens the gut’s protective barrier and allows toxins to reach the liver. While results in mice and nonhuman primates were encouraging, the drug remains experimental and has not yet been tested in humans. Researchers plan further evaluation with the goal of advancing DT-109 toward clinical trials to determine its safety and effectiveness in patients.
Source: Read the full story at ScienceDaily
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