ATG7 and Hepatic steatosis: Ample evidence has indicated that the important role of autophagy in reducing ALD is likely due to the selective removal of lipid droplets and damaged mitochondria.24,45,46 Similarly, genetically increasing autophagy by overexpressing the autophagy gene Atg7 ameliorated hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in ob/ob and HFD-fed mice.47 Growing research also indicates that the cytoprotective function of autophagy is mediated in many circumstances by the negative modulation of apoptosis.