K values had better correlations with Ki-67 indices (r = − 0.807; P < 0.001), inflammation (r = − 0.724; P < 0.001), and steatosis grade(r = − 0.725; P < 0.001) than with liver volumes (r = 0.595; P < 0.001), and hepatocyte size (r = − 0.615; P < 0.001). Here, MKI67 is linked to steatosis.