['To investigate whether resveratrol (RSV) can improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and to find the possible mechanism.', 'Rats fed a high-fat diet were treated with RSV. The liver histology was observed. Hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was performed to assess insulin sensitivity. Fat accumulation was induced in HepG2 cells, and the cells were treated with RSV. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation levels were determined both in the animal study and cell study.', 'Rats fed a high-fat diet developed abdominal obesity, NAFLD, and insulin resistance (IR), which were markedly improved by 10 weeks of RSV administration. RSV treatment prevented triacylglycerol (TG) accumulation in HepG2 cells that were incubated with high concentration of glucose and insulin. Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed that RSV treatment could promote the phosphorylation of AMPK, which in this study, suppressed 2 lipogenesis gene expressions, contributing to the improvement of NAFLD and IR.'] Does resveratrol improve non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by activating AMP-activated protein kinase?