Reduced PGC‐1α protein expression has been observed in the livers of patients with obesity, hepatic steatosis or NASH compared with healthy controls.48 In addition, previous studies have reported that low expression of PGC‐1α leads to defective mitochondrial OXPHOS, excessive ROS generation and insulin resistance.15, 49 Accordingly, these studies led us to speculate that PGC‐1α overexpression could reverse the lipotoxicity of NEFAs on hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction and insulin resistance. The gene discussed is PPARGC1A; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.