MAPK8 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: In the context of NASH, a pivotal event in hepatocyte apoptosis involves the activation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), which induces dysregulation of glucose and lipid metabolism via downstream p38-JNK1 and JNK2 (JNK1/2) pathways, thereby promoting inflammation [116].