Upregulation of M30 has been shown to be associated with NALFD deterioration28–30, and our data further confirm this, as we observed increased expression of M30 and elevated mRNA levels of PUMA and p21 in the livers of high-grade steatosis group, suggesting that apoptosis is mainly induced in patients with high-grade steatosis (Supplementary Figure 6). This evidence concerns the gene BBC3 and steatosis.