PPAR delta agonists and metabolic diseases

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are the key transcription factors regulating lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. PPARalpha and PPARgamma are known therapeutic targets for hypertriglyceridemia and type 2 diabetes, respectively. The physiologic function of the third member, PPARdelta, has been difficult to define due to its broad tissue distribution. Through the creation of transgenic mouse models and identification of high-affinity synthetic ligands, the diverse activities of PPARdelta in several metabolically active tissues, including skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, liver, and macrophages, have recently been revealed. These metabolic activities of PPARdelta implicate the potential use of PPARdelta agonists to treat metabolic diseases, including atherosclerosis and insulin resistance.