The β‐catenin pathway contributes to the effects of leptin on SREBP‐1c expression in rat hepatic stellate cells and liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis is commonly associated with obesity and most obese patients develop hyperleptinaemia. The adipocytokine leptin has a unique role in the development of liver fibrosis. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key step in hepatic fibrogenesis and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) can inhibit HSC activation. We have shown that leptin strongly inhibits SREBP-1c expression in rat HSCs. Hence, we aimed to...