Emerging role of carboxylesterases in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasingly recognized as a global public health problem. Carboxylesterases (CESs), as potential influencing factors of NAFLD, are very important to improve clinical outcomes. This review aims to deeply understand the role of CESs in the progression of NAFLD and proposes that CESs can be used as potential targets for NAFLD treatment. We first introduced CESs and analyzed the relationship between CESs and hepatic lipid metabolism and inflammation. Then, we further reviewed the regulation of nuclear receptors on CESs, including PXR, CAR, PPARα, HNF4α and FXR, which may influence the progression of NAFLD. Finally, we evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of existing NAFLD animal models and summarized the application of CES-related animal models in NAFLD research. In general, this review provides an overview of the relationship between CESs and NAFLD and discusses the role and potential value of CESs in the treatment and prevention of NAFLD.