title: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in diabetes and metabolism.
abstract: The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma) has been the focus of intense research during the past decade because ligands for this receptor have emerged as potent insulin sensitizers used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Recent advances include the discovery of novel genes that are regulated by PPAR-gamma, which helps explain how activation of this adipocyte-predominant transcription factor regulates glucose and lipid homeostasis. Increased levels of circulating free fatty acids and lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissue have been implicated in the development of insulin resistance. This situation is improved by PPAR-gamma ligands, which promote fatty acid storage in fat depots and regulate the expression of adipocyte-secreted hormones that impact on glucose homeostasis. The net result of the pleiotropic effects of PPAR-gamma ligands is improvement of insulin sensitivity, although undesired side-effects limit the utility of this therapy. It might be possible to dissociate the anti-diabetic and adverse effects through selective modulation of PPAR-gamma activity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine and The Penn Diabetes Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Shamina M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Rangwala
authors.forename: Mitchell A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Lazar
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000502:physiology; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D008024:Ligands; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008024:Ligands; D018160:Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear; D014157:Transcription Factors