CXCL6 promotes the progression of NAFLD through regulation of PPARα

•NAFLD is a major economic and health burden worldwide because the diagnosis rate is estimated as high as 30%, making it the secondary causes for liver transplants.•The GEO database indicates that CXCL6 expression is elevated in NAFLD and KEGG indicates that CXCL6 negatively regulates the PPARα pathway.•CXCL6 expression positively correlates with NAFLD severity.•CXCL6 may be a potential diagnostic marker for NAFLD.