Adipokines such as fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (AFABP) have been associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The following genes were significantly upregulated in NAFL: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma 2 (2.8-fold), the monocyte-attracting chemokine CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein [MCP]-1, 1.8-fold), and four genes associated with fatty acid metabolism (acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 [ACSL4] [2.8-fold], fatty acid binding protein [FABP]4 [3.9-fold], FABP5 [2.5-fold], and lipoprotein lipase [LPL] [3.6-fold]).