Genetic Liver-Specific AMPK Activation Protects against Diet-Induced Obesity and NAFLD

Authors: Daniel Garcia, Kristina Hellberg, Amandine Chaix, Martina Wallace, Sébastien Herzig, Mehmet G. Badur, Terry Lin, Maxim N. Shokhirev, Antônio F. M. Pinto, Debbie S. Ross, Alan Saghatelian, Satchidananda Panda, Lukas E. Dow, Christian M. Metallo, Reuben J. Shaw - Cell Reports 2019 cited by 302

, where AMPK can be inducibly activated in vivo in mice in a spatially and temporally restricted manner. Using this model, we show that liver-specific AMPK activation reprograms lipid metabolism, reduces liver steatosis, decreases expression of inflammation and fibrosis genes, and leads to significant therapeutic benefits in the context of diet-induced obesity. These findings further support AMPK as a target for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.