Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe liver disease characterized by fat accumulation in the liver, leading to inflammation and potential scarring. Often linked with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol, NASH can progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, or cancer. Globally, it affects around 6.5% of the population. Researchers at Michigan Medicine have developed a promising treatment, DT-109, a glycine-based tripeptide, which has shown effectiveness in reversing fat buildup and preventing liver damage in non-human primates. This breakthrough is significant as previous efforts to develop NASH medications often faced challenges, including safety concerns during clinical trials. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, involved collaboration with various international institutions and utilized a non-human primate model to better assess NASH’s complexities, confirming DT-109’s efficacy through multi-omics profiling. Findings indicate that the treatment stimulates fatty acid degradation and antioxidant production while inhibiting toxic bile acid production associated with NASH. With millions suffering from this condition, the researchers emphasize the urgent need for effective treatments, potentially paving the way for future clinical trials involving DT-109. The study was supported by several Chinese funding programs and asserted compliance with animal care guidelines.
