Research ArticleEssential fatty acids deficiency promotes lipogenic gene expression and hepatic steatosis through the liver X receptor

Background & AimsNutrients influence non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Essential fatty acids deficiency promotes various syndromes, including hepatic steatosis, through increased de novo lipogenesis. The mechanisms underlying such increased lipogenic response remain unidentified.MethodsWe used wild type mice and mice lacking Liver X Receptors to perform a nutrigenomic study that aimed at examining the role of these transcription factors.ResultsWe showed that, in the absence of Liver X Receptors, essential fatty acids deficiency does not promote steatosis. Consistent with this, Liver X Receptors are required for the elevated expression of genes involved in lipogenesis in response to essential fatty acids deficiency.ConclusionsThis work identifies, for the first time, the central role of Liver X Receptors in steatosis induced by essential fatty acids deficiency.