Itaconate trims the fat

Inflammation is characterized by cell metabolic reprogramming that can influence the outcome of metabolic syndrome-related diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this issue, Weiss et al. discover that preventing the production of the immunomodulatory metabolite itaconate increases liver fat accumulation in mouse models of NAFLD and that treatment with itaconate may promote fat oxidation. This study reveals new therapeutic potential for targeting the itaconate metabolic pathway in NAFLD.