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Emerging data have underscored the importance of Rho-kinase (Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinase [ROCK]) action in the maintenance of normal hepatic lipid homeostasis. In particular, pharmacological blockade of ROCK in hepatocytes or hepatic stellate cells prevents the progression of liver diseases such as NAFLD and fibrosis. Moreover, mice lacking hepatic ROCK1 are protected against obesity-induced fatty liver diseases by suppressing hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Here we review the roles of ROCK as an indispensable regulator of obesity-induced fatty liver disease and highlight the key cellular pathway governing hepatic lipid accumulation, with focus on de novo lipogenesis and its impact on therapeutic potential. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic milieu linking to liver dysfunction triggered by ROCK activation may help identify new targets for treating fatty liver diseases such as NAFLD.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4093\/dmj.2021.0197","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2021,10,1]],"date-time":"2021-10-01T01:49:25Z","timestamp":1633052965000},"page":"655-674","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4093\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":25,"title":["Rho-Kinase as a Therapeutic Target for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Diseases"],"prefix":"10.4093","volume":"45","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1859-0486","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"In\u00eas","family":"Sousa-Lima","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hyun 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