Concurrent with the obesity epidemic, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly becoming the leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide (1). NAFLD, particularly its histological phenotype non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can progress to advanced liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and indication for liver transplantation (2). Although remarkable advances have been made in the understanding of the pathophysiology of NAFLD, the exact mechanism of hepatic fat accumulation and the progression to NASH is not fully understood. Thus, in order to reduce the burden associated with these diseases, it is imperative that all major factors that contribute to the development of NAFLD are identified.