Research progress in role of myosin light chain kinase in pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) is a key enzyme involved in intestinal mucosal mechanical barrier and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This article describes the "two-hit theory" for NAFLD and gut-derived endotoxin which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD, the relationship between endotoxin, MLCK, and NAFLD, and the impact of MLCK inhibitor ML-7 on the intestinal barrier. MLCK inhibitor ML-7 may hinder and delay the development and progression of NAFLD, providing a novel clinical idea for the early prevention of NAFLD.