PPAR-gamma agonists: therapeutic role in diabetes, inflammation and cancer

The recent development of a novel class of insulin-sensitizing drugs, the t hiazolidinediones (TZDs), represents a significant advance in antidiabetic therapy. One key mechanism by which these drugs exert their effects is by a ctivation of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-gam ma), a member of the nuclear receptor family. Evidence supporting this mech anism of action of the TZDs will be reviewed in this article. Recent data s uggests that PPAR-gamma agonists might also have therapeutic potential in t he treatment of inflammatory diseases and certain cancers.