The results of inflammatory cytokine analysis (Fig. 7B) further supported this conclusion: the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the NAFLD + AMPK-IN-3 group were higher than those in the NAFLD + DMSO group (P < 0.05), while rhein could effectively reduce these inflammatory cytokines. This evidence concerns the gene PRKAA1 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.