These SN-401 mediated reductions in hepatic steatosis and hepatocyte damage are consistent with the observed increases in hepatic insulin sensitivity and consequent reductions in hepatic glucose production via gluconeogenesis available for hepatic de novo lipogenesis (Fig. 4b), as observed with other insulin sensitizers, such as metformin and TZDs47 that have both primary effects on liver and secondary effects on other peripheral tissues. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is fatty liver disease.