Figure 3.

Hepatocytic ATF3 is required for protection against HFCF diet-induced steatohepatitis. Atf3^fl/fl mice and Atf3^Hep−/− mice were fed the HFCF diet for 16 weeks (n = 7). A: Plasma ALT and AST levels were analyzed. Hepatic levels of TC, FC (B), TG (C), FFAs (D), individual fatty acyl-CoAs (E), and hydroxyproline (F) were determined. Chol, cholesterol. G: Hepatic mRNA levels were measured. H: Representative liver sections were stained with ORO (left top panel), H&E (left bottom panel), or picrosirius red (right top panel), or immunohistochemically stained with an F4/80 antibody (right bottom panel). Arrows point to fibrosis (right top panel) or macrophages (right bottom panel). All values are expressed as mean ± SEM. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 vs. control.