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Contribution of de novo fatty acid synthesis to hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance: lessons from genetically engineered mice
Catherine Postic, Jean Girard
Catherine Postic, Jean Girard
Published March 3, 2008
Citation Information: J Clin Invest. 2008;118(3):829-838. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI34275.
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Science in Medicine

Contribution of de novo fatty acid synthesis to hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance: lessons from genetically engineered mice

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Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD represents a large spectrum of diseases ranging from (i) fatty liver (hepatic steatosis); (ii) steatosis with inflammation and necrosis; and (iii) cirrhosis. Although the molecular mechanism leading to the development of hepatic steatosis in the pathogenesis of NAFLD is complex, recent animal models have shown that modulating important enzymes in fatty acid synthesis in liver may be key for the treatment of NAFLD. This review discusses recent advances in the field.

Authors

Catherine Postic, Jean Girard

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Figure 3

Metabolic pathways leading to the synthesis of TGs in liver.

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Metabolic pathways leading to the synthesis of TGs in liver.
The synthes...
The synthesis of TGs in liver is nutritionally regulated. The ingestion of a LF/HC diet causes a marked induction of enzymes involved in key metabolic pathways, including (i) glucokinase (GK) and L-PK for glycolysis; (ii) ATP citrate lyase, ACC, and FAS for lipogenesis; (iii) ELOVL6 and SCD1 for fatty acid elongation and desaturation steps; and finally (iv) GPAT and DGAT for TG synthesis. Under these nutritional conditions, elevation in malonyl-CoA concentrations, the product of the lipogenic enzyme ACC, inhibits L–CPT I, the rate-limiting enzyme of β-oxidation (v), which regulates the transfer of long-chain acyl-CoAs from the cytosol into the mitochondria, thus resulting in a shift from an oxidative (production of ketone bodies) to an esterification pathway (TG synthesis). F6P, fructose 6-phosphate; F1, 6P2, fructose 1,6 diphosphate; G3P, glycerol 3-phosphate; G6P, glucose 6-phosphatase; PEP, phosphoenol pyruvate; LCFA, long-chain fatty acids; CPT II, carnitine palmitoyltransferase II.

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ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

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