Fig. 4.

Hepatic expression of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)‐ and de novo lipogenesis (DNL)‐associated genes in patients with metabolic syndrome was elevated in the statin‐treated group. Liver biopsy homogenates from individuals without known liver disease were analyzed using human transcriptome array. (a and b) Transcript levels of MASLD associated genes patatin‐like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3), transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2), glucokinase regulator (GCKR), and membrane bound O‐acyltransferase domain containing 7 (MBOAT7). (c) Transcript levels of key regulators of hepatic cholesterol metabolism (SREBF2, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA synthase (HMGCS1), 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coa reductase (HMGCR), low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and PCSK9) in metabolic syndrome (MS) patients with or without statin treatment. (d and e) Transcript levels of transcriptionally regulated key enzymes involved in DNL ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), acetyl‐CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), ACACB, stearoyl‐CoA desaturase (SCD), FASN, and SREBF1. Data are expressed as min to max box plots with the middle line at the median, each dot representing one patient. Mann Whitney U test. n.s., not significant. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ****p < 0.0001 (n = 24–26/group).