Yoo et al. [105] revealed in vivo that serum levels of LECT-2 are increased in individuals with obesity and fatty liver disease, in addition to promoting N-terminal Jun kinase (JNK) phosphorylation in myocytes, leading to impaired insulin sensitivity in mice and an intercorrelation with metabolic syndrome. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK8 and obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.