Pathogenesis ofmetabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

结果表明，肥胖小鼠肝组织中磷脂酰乙醇胺N-甲基转移酶（Pemt）mRNA表达上调。高脂高糖诱导的肥胖Pemtknockout小鼠体重和脂肪组织堆积显著减少，胰岛素抵抗显著改善。然而，这些动物发生了严重的脂肪性肝炎，并最终发生肝硬化和腺瘤。Pemt活性的降低与非酒精性脂肪性肝炎的发生有关。

We identified mRNA expression of Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (Pemt) was up-regulated in the liver tissue of obese mice. Body weight and accumulation of adipose tissues were prominently reduced in high fat-high sucrose induced obese Pemtknockout mice and insulin resistance was significantly improved. However, these animals developed severe steatohepatitis and ultimately liver cirrhosis and adenomas. The reduction of Pemt activity is involved in the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.