In mice and nonhuman primates, the tripeptide DT-109 lowered a gut bacterium tied to severe fatty liver

What the research found

Study (mice and nonhuman primates). Pengxiang Qu, Y. Eugene Chen, and colleagues at the University of Michigan and partner labs report in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (2026; 136(13):e200522; DOI 10.1172/JCI200522; 1 Jul 2026). ScienceDaily recirculated it on 17 Oct 2026. They tie severe fatty-liver inflammation, which they say affects about 7 percent of people worldwide, to overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens and the ammonia that bacterium makes. Ammonia can weaken the intestinal lining so microbial products reach the liver and overactivate CD8 T cells. The glycine tripeptide DT-109 lowered that bacterium and ammonia in mice and in nonhuman primates, tightened the intestinal lining, and in the primates reduced liver inflammation and disease severity. Earlier work from the same group found the compound reduced artery plaque in nonhuman primates. The university holds a patent, licensed it to Diapin Therapeutics, and Chen has an ownership interest; Diapin supplied the compound. This is not a human trial. Not medical advice.

Evidence level: Animal study. Results in animals or cells often don't carry over to people.

Read the original at University of Michigan / Journal of Clinical Investigation