Inhibition of the Low Density Lipoprotein-Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth by PPARgamma Ligands.
Low density lipoprotein has been shown to induce vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and, therefore, to directly contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear hormone receptors involved in various cellular processes, such as cell cycle regulation and carcinogenesis. PPARgamma, the best characterized of the PPARs, plays a crucial role in the regulation of cell proliferation, adipocyte differentiation, insulin sensitivity, energy expenditure, development of atherosclerosis and carcinogenesis. In the present review we discuss recent findings showing that a new class of antidiabetic drugs, the PPARgamma ligands thiazolidinediones, might have potential antiatherosclerotic effects. (c) 2002 Prous Science. All rights reserved.
Gouni-Berthold
Ioanna
I
Sachinidis
Agapios
A