title: Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in Female Reproduction and Fertility.
abstract: Reproductive functions may be altered by the exposure to a multitude of endogenous and exogenous agents, drug or environmental pollutants, which are known to affect gene transcription through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) activation. PPARs act as ligand activated transcription factors and regulate metabolic processes such as lipid and glucose metabolism, energy homeostasis, inflammation, and cell proliferation and differentiation. All PPARs isotypes are expressed along the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and are strictly involved in reproductive functions. Since female fertility and energy metabolism are tightly interconnected, the research on female infertility points towards the exploration of potential PPARs activating/antagonizing compounds, mainly belonging to the class of thiazolidinediones (TZDs) and fibrates, as useful agents for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis in women with ovarian dysfunctions. In the present review, we discuss the recent evidence about PPARs expression in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and their involvement in female reproduction. Finally, the therapeutic potential of their manipulation through several drugs is also discussed.
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Maurizio
authors: 0000-0002-7659-8139
authors: M
authors: Vitti
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Giovanna
authors: 0000-0001-9442-6923
authors: G
authors: Di Emidio
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Michela
authors: 0000-0002-9910-7187
authors: M
authors: Di Carlo
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy; Gynecology and Fertility Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Gaspare
authors: G
authors: Carta
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: 0000-0003-4151-7121
authors: A
authors: Antonosante
authors: Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
authors: Paolo Giovanni
authors: PG
authors: Artini
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy; Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine and Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA; National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS), Assergi, Italy.
authors: Annamaria
authors: 0000-0002-2737-7970
authors: A
authors: Cimini
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy; Gynecology and Fertility Unit, San Salvatore Hospital, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Carla
authors: 0000-0002-4978-2571
authors: C
authors: Tatone
authors: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
authors: Elisabetta
authors: 0000-0002-6740-7724
authors: E
authors: Benedetti