Up to 80% of obese people have non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD). Certain patients with NAFLD progress to developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) which contributes to liver cirrhosis. Animal models that more accurately reflect human disease condition and progression are of desire. Certain animals within HZ-Bio diet-induced obesity cohort began to develop light to moderate non-alcoholic fatty liver with light inflammation and early stage ballooning (Fig. 1-2) revealed by liver biopsy and histological analysis.

Through collaborating with physicians in a local hospital, HZ-Bio is exploring methods such as ultrasound, FibroScan and MRI for quantifying the extend of NAFL and keeping track of potential NASH development in such cohort.