New drug reverses severe fatty liver disease by repairing the gut
Scientists have discovered that a potential new drug can reverse severe fatty liver disease in animal models by restoring gut health and blocking harmful substances from reaching the liver. The breakthrough could pave the way for new treatments for liver disease and potentially other serious conditions, including cardiovascular disease.
A new drug called DT-109, developed at Michigan Medicine, has shown promise in reversing severe fatty liver disease known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in animal studies. The drug works by targeting an unexpected source of liver damage: the gut. It reduces harmful gut bacteria, protects the intestinal lining, and prevents inflammatory substances from reaching the liver.
MASH affects around 7% of the world's population and can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure if left untreated. While treatment options have improved, effective therapies are still limited. The drug's mechanism of action involves improving the intestinal environment, reinforcing the gut's protective barrier, and limiting the movement of harmful microbial substances to the liver.
This innovative approach offers a potential new strategy for treating a disease that remains difficult to manage.
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