However, the area fraction of hepatic α-SMA + cells and expression of genes involved in hepatic stellate cell activation (Acta2 (α-SMA), Col1a1, Col1a2, Col3a1, Col5a3, Col6a1, Mmp9, Timp1 and Timp2) and fibrosis (Col1a1, Col3a1, Timp1, Fap) were increased in the hyperglycemic STZ-NASH hamsters. Here, COL6A1 is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.