Heme oxygenase-1 protects against steatohepatitis in both cultured hepatocytes and mice.

Background & Aims: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), an antioxidant defense enzyme, has been shown to protect against oxidant-induced tissue injury. We investigated the role of HO-1 in nutritional steatohepatitis in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: AML-12 hepatocytes were cultured in methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) medium.