PPARG and chronic hepatitis C virus infection: However, several findings regarding the role of PPAR in HCV infection are dissonant: (1) PPAR-α acts to ameliorate steatosis; conversely, the core protein activates PPAR-α which may worsen steatosis via mitochondrial dysfunction [37]; (2) Increased PPAR-γ mRNA expression in liver tissues of chronic hepatitis C patients is associated with HCV-induced steatosis by way of PPAR-γ-up-regulated lipogenic genes that are effectors of lipid accumulation [38].