New central role for liver X receptors in hepatic steatosis

New research confirms a crucial role for liver X receptors in hepatic steatosis induced by essential fatty acids deficiency in animal models. Ducheix and co-workers found that essential fatty acids deficiency in mice did not promote hepatic steatosis in the absence of liver X receptors. Moreover, liver X receptors were required for the increased expression of genes involved in the lipogenic response to essential fatty acids deficiency.