Using a rat hepatoma model McA-RH7777, which mimics the intact liver through producing high levels of SREBP-1c, it was shown that activation of AMPK by AICAR and metformin suppresses SREBP-1c transcription by inhibiting endogenous LXR ligand production and SREBP-1c maturation processing [13]. This evidence concerns the gene SREBF1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.