An Overview of the Role of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptors in Liver Diseases

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a superfamily of nuclear transcription receptors, consisting of PPARα, PPARγ, and PPARβ/δ, which are highly expressed in the liver. They control and modulate the expression of a large number of genes involved in metabolism and energy homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and even apo-ptosis in the liver. Therefore, they have critical roles in the pathophysiology of hepatic diseases. This review provides a general insight into the role of PPARs in liver diseases and some of their agonists in the clinic.