AKT1 and steatosis: Elevated levels of hydrophobic bile acids, such as CDCA, can compromise mitochondrial function, induce apoptosis in hepatocytes, and concurrently activate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathways, thereby facilitating the progression from steatosis to MASH.