AKT1 and Cirrhosis: This occurs despite a normal expression of eNOS (endotherail NO synthase) mRNA and normal levels of eNOS protein [19], and the decreased activity of hepatic eNOS in cirrhosis is due in part to increased expression of caveolin [20]; as Akt-induced phosphorylation of eNOS reverses inhibitory conformation of eNOS in association with caveolin-1 [21].