title: Potential for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists in progression: beyond metabolism.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The thiazolidinediones are agonists for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, and promote insulin sensitization and improve dyslipidemia in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma transduces its actions by binding to common consensus response elements called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-response elements, thus modifying expression of numerous genes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma is widely expressed, including in macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells. I will review recent novel insights into peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist actions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The thiazolidinediones have beneficial effects in humans with type II diabetes related in part to improvement of dysmetabolic syndrome, and also have beneficial effects on progressive renal damage in animal models of diabetic nephropathy and in models with severe hyperlipidemia. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists also have direct benefits on progressive renal injury independent of altering the dysmetabolic profile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We will review selected evidence of actions of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists beyond metabolism, focusing on experimental work, and examine interactions with other key profibrotic mediators, including transforming growth factor-beta and the renin-angiotensin system.
authors.forename: Agnes B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Fogo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000819:agonists* / Q000378:metabolism; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047495:PPAR gamma; D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta