Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors

Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2002 Jan;4(1):59-64. doi: 10.1007/s11883-002-0063-x.

Abstract

An exciting and rapidly evolving area in vascular biology and atherosclerosis research over the past 3 years has been the establishment of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) expression in the vascular and inflammatory cells, and the emerging picture of the roles these ligand-activated nuclear receptor/transcription factors might play in vascular biology and atherosclerosis. Such work is all the more compelling given the ongoing clinical use of PPAR activators in patients. Thiazolidinediones (PPAR-g agonists) are used as insulin sensitizers in diabetic patients known to be at extraordinarily high risk for cardiovascular disease, whereas fibrates (PPAR-a agonists) are used to treat dyslipidemia, particularly in the case of high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arteriosclerosis / metabolism
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear* / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Transcription Factors