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Published on: May 24, 2024

Paraoxonases as metabolic and signaling modulators: prospects for therapeutic and preventive implications

Sepand Tehrani Fateh1, Sahand Tehrani Fateh2, Seyed Ali Ziai3

  • 1School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. sepandtehrani@sbmu.ac.ir.

Npj Metabolic Health and Disease
|July 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Modulating paraoxonases (PONs), enzymes with antioxidant functions, shows therapeutic potential for various diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration. Strategies include enzyme replacement and lifestyle changes to enhance PON activity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • Enzymology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Paraoxonases (PONs) are enzyme isozymes (PON1, PON2, PON3) with esterase and lactonase activities.
  • PONs are implicated in numerous disorders, including cancer, atherosclerosis, liver diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and toxicities.
  • Alterations in PON expression, abundance, and activity are linked to various pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the therapeutic and preventive potential of modulating paraoxonase (PON) levels and activity.
  • To discuss current and emerging strategies for PON modulation in disease management.
  • To explore the role of PONs in disease pathophysiology, focusing on antioxidant and detoxifying functions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating paraoxonases (PONs) and their role in disease.
  • Analysis of evidence linking PON alterations to pathological conditions.
  • Exploration of therapeutic strategies targeting PONs, including enzyme replacement, drug repurposing, and genetic engineering.

Main Results:

  • Paraoxonases (PONs) exhibit antioxidant and detoxifying functions relevant to disease pathophysiology.
  • Modulating PON levels or activity may offer therapeutic benefits in disease prevention and treatment.
  • Lifestyle factors and the microbiome can influence PON levels and activity, presenting additional intervention points.

Conclusions:

  • Modulation of paraoxonases (PONs) holds significant therapeutic and preventive potential across a spectrum of diseases.
  • Further research into PON function and targeted modulation strategies is warranted.
  • Interventions influencing PONs, including lifestyle and microbiome modulation, offer promising avenues for health management.

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