However, the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR in the hypothalamus were significantly lower in the NAFLD group when compared with the control group (n=3, P<0.01, Figure 6), indicating that HFD resulted in hypothalamic insulin signaling damage which was related with insulin resistance. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.