I. Introduction II. Molecular Aspects A. PPAR isotypes: identity, genomic organization and chromosomal localization B. DNA binding properties C. PPAR ligand-binding properties D. Alternative pathways for PPAR activation E. PPAR-mediated transactivation properties III. Physiological Aspects A. Differential expression of PPAR mRNAs B. PPAR target genes and functions in fatty acid metabolism C. PP...

To determine whether homocysteine (Hcy)-mediated activation of endocardial endothelial (EE) cells is ameliorated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), we isolated EE cells from mouse endocardium. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in EE cells were measured in the presence and absence of Hcy, and ciprofibrate (CF; PPAR-alpha agoni...

We have previously shown that peroxisome proliferator activating receptor ß/δ (PPAR β/δ is overexpressed in psoriasis. PPAR β/δ is not present in adult epidermis of mice. Targeted expression of PPAR β/δ and activation by a selective synthetic agonist is sufficient to induce an inflammatory skin disease resembling psoriasis. Several signalling pathways dysregulated in psoriasis are replicated in...

Beyond the short-term effects on fertility, there is increasing evidence that obesity or the consumption of an inappropriate diet by the mother during pregnancy adversely affects the long-term health of her offspring. PPAR and RXR isotypes are widely expressed in reproductive tissues and in the developing fetus. Through their interactions with fatty acids, they may mediate adaptive responses to...

PPAR , a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, and thioredoxin, a critical redox-regulator in cells, were found to form a negative feedback loop, which autoregulates transcriptional activity of PPAR . Thioredoxin was identified as a target gene of PPAR . Activation of PPAR leads to increase of thioredoxin expression as well as its translocation from cytoplasm to nucleus, whereas ectopic o...

There are three peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) subtypes which are commonly designated PPAR alpha, PPAR gamma and PPAR beta/delta. PPAR alpha activation increases high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol synthesis, stimulates “reverse” cholesterol transport and reduces triglycerides. PPAR gamma activation results in insulin sensitization and antidiabetic action. Combined t...

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a family of ligand-activated transcription factors within the broad nuclear receptor superfamily. Recent evidence indicates that the PPARs play critical regulatory roles in a variety of biologic processes relevant to the heart and vasculature including lipid and energy metabolism, inflammation, and cellular differentiation (reviewed in...

A large body of data gathered over the past couple of years has identified the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) , , and / as transcription factors exerting modulatory actions in vascular cells. PPARs, which belong to the nuclear receptor family of ligand-activated transcription factors, were originally described as gene regulators of various metabolic pathways. Although the PP...

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are effective anti-inflammatory agents widely used in the therapeutic approach to treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Previous results suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha), an intracellular transcription factor activated by fatty acids, plays a role in the control of inflammation. With the aim of characterizing the ro...

Chronic alcoholic liver disease is associated with hepatic insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative and ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage. Peroxisome-proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) agonists are insulin sensitizers that have anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidant effects. We previously showed that PPAR agonists can restore hepatic insulin responsiveness in chronic ethanol-f...