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Published on: May 6, 2014

PPARs and LXRs: atherosclerosis goes nuclear

Grant D Barish1, Ronald M Evans

  • 1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Gene Expression Laboratory, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, PO Box 85800, San Diego, CA 92186-5800, USA.

Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism: TEM
|April 28, 2004
PubMed

Insights

New therapeutics targeting metabolic and inflammatory factors are needed for atherosclerosis, a leading cause of death. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and liver X receptors show potential for cardiovascular disease treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Metabolic Disease
  • Inflammation Biology

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a primary cause of mortality globally.
  • Effective therapeutics targeting its pathogenesis are crucial.
  • Metabolic and inflammatory pathways are key contributors to atherosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the therapeutic potential of nuclear receptors in cardiovascular disease.
  • To investigate the roles of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and Liver X receptors (LXRs) in atherosclerosis.
  • To highlight the significance of synthetic ligands for PPARs and LXRs.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding of PPAR and LXR functions in physiology.
  • Analysis of the development and characteristics of high-affinity synthetic ligands.
  • Examination of the modulation of metabolic and inflammatory factors by PPARs and LXRs.

Main Results:

  • PPARs and LXRs are lipid-activated nuclear receptors.
  • These receptors regulate systemic glucose and lipid metabolism.
  • They also modulate inflammation within the vascular wall.

Conclusions:

  • PPARs and LXRs represent promising therapeutic targets for cardiovascular disease.
  • Synthetic ligands offer a potential strategy for treating atherosclerosis.
  • Further research into PPAR and LXR modulation is warranted for cardiovascular health.

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