PPAR δ activity in cardiovascular diseases: A potential pharmacological target

Abstract

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), and particularly of PPAR and PPAR , using selective agonists, is currently used in the treatment of metabolic diseases such as hypertriglyceridemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. PPAR and PPAR anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties in cardiovascular cells were extensively clarified in a variety of in vitro and in vivo models. In contrast, the role of PPAR δ in cardiovascular system is poorly understood. Prostacyclin, the predominant prostanoid released by vascular cells, is a putative endogenous agonist for PPAR δ, but only recently PPAR δ selective synthetic agonists were found, improving studies about the physiological and pathophysiological roles of PPAR δ activation. Recent reports suggest that the PPAR δ activation may play a pivotal role to regulate inflammation, apoptosis, and cell proliferation, suggesting that this transcriptional factor could become an interesting pharmacological target to regulate cardiovascular cell apoptosis, proliferation, inflammation, and metabolism.