Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and their role in the vessel wall: possible mediators of cardiovascular risk?

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear transcripti on factors that regulate gene expression in response to activation by speci fic ligands including insulin sensitizing thiazolidinedione and lipid-lower ing fibrates. Recent work has identified PPAR alpha and PPAR gamma expressi on in vascular cells and established a role for these receptors in the regu lation of genes relevant to atherogenesis. The following review will focus on the role of PPAR activation in the vasculature and discuss the potential clinical implications of these findings. J Cardiovasc Risk 8:203-210 (C) 2 001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.