Increased De Novo Lipogenesis Is a Distinct Characteristic of Individuals With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

By administering isotopes to subjects with NAFLD and control subjects, we confirmed that those with NAFLD have increased synthesis of fatty acids. Subjects with NAFLD also had higher nocturnal plasma levels of FFAs and did not suppress the contribution from de novo lipogenesis on fasting. These findings indicate that lipogenesis might be a therapeutic target for NAFLD.