Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

The Isolation of Flowing Mesenteric Lymph in Mice to Quantify In Vivo Kinetics of Dietary Lipid Absorption and Chylomicron Secretion
Published on: November 30, 2022
Carboxylesterase1/Esterase-x regulates chylomicron production in mice
Ariel D Quiroga1, Jihong Lian, Richard Lehner
1Group on Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract:
Elevated postprandial plasma triacylglycerol (TG) concentrations are commonly associated with obesity and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary fat contributes to this condition through the production of chylomicrons. Carboxylesterases have been mainly studied for their role in drug metabolism, but recently they have been shown to participate in lipid metabolism; however, their role in intestinal lipid metabolism is unknown. Carboxylesterase1/esterase-x (Ces1/Es-x) deficient mice become obese, hyperlipidemic and develop hepatic steatosis even on standard chow diet. Here, we aimed to explore the role of Ces1/Es-x in intestinal lipid metabolism. Six-month old wild-type and Ces1/Es-x deficient mice were maintained on chow diet and intestinal lipid metabolism and plasma chylomicron clearance were analyzed. Along the intestine Ces1/Es-x protein is expressed only in proximal jejunum. Ablation of Ces1/Es-x expression results in postprandial hyperlipidemia due to increased secretion of chylomicrons. The secreted chylomicrons have aberrant protein composition, which results in their reduced clearance. In conclusion, Ces1/Es-x participates in the regulation of chylomicron assembly and secretion. Ces1/Es-x might act as a lipid sensor in enterocytes regulating chylomicron secretion rate. Ces1/Es-x might represent an attractive pharmacological target for the treatment of lipid abnormalities associated with obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver disease.
Related Concept Videos
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation
Considering cholesterol and...
Lipid Absorption
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...
Cholinesterases: Distribution and Function
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
Lipid Catabolism
Lipid Digestion

