Metformin targets a phosphoSTAT3-miRNAs pathway to inhibit lipid droplets accumulation and intracellular inflammation in vitro and in vivo

Accumulation of triglyceride-containing lipid droplets (LDs) within hepatocytes in NAFLD patients is a potentially reversible process, although sustained activation of inflammatory signaling pathways leads to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that can evolve into cirrhosis and HCC. The prevalence of NAFLD is increased with aging, however the molecular mechanism for aging-induced fatty liver remains poorly understood. Here we investigated the role of a phosphoSTAT3- miRNAs pathway in LD accumulation and the activation of intracellular inflammatory pathways in vescicular steatosis.