NFE2L2 and hydrops fetalis: Consistent with the view that oxidative stress is pivotal in development of NASH, knockout of Nrf2 in mice profoundly predisposes to NASH stimulated by either a methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet20, 21 or a HF diet.22, 23, 24 Although loss of Nrf2 increases sensitivity to NASH, it is less certain whether upregulation of Nrf2 by genetic or pharmacologic approaches decreases sensitivity to the disease.