Although AMPKα deactivation was observed in both ADH− and ADH+ deer mice fed 3.5% EtOH, a differential expression of CaMKKβ, ACC1 and CPT1A found in ADH− deer mice fed 3.5% EtOH is particularly important to understand the metabolic basis of EtOH-induced steatosis and liver injury. Here, CPT1A is linked to steatosis.