Hepatic lipotoxicity and Fibrogenesis are attenuated by the hepatotrophic factor ALR

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide and its spectrum ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. NASH has been thought to be a disease caused by triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes with subsequent oxidant stress and lipid peroxidation causing inflammation and fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells, which are activated under conditions of liver injury, are mainly responsible for fibrogenesis. The protein ALR (augmenter of liver regeneration) was previously shown to have hepatoprotective properties against liver toxins. The aim o…