[Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors and atherosclerosis]

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-dependant nuclear transcription factors, consisting of three isoforms: alpha,beta/delta and gamma, which form a subfamily of the nuclear receptors superfamily. PPARs play an important role in adipocyte differentiation, energy metabolism, and inflammation. PPARs' effect goes beyond the improvement of insulin resistance in syndrome X (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity and so on). Through recent years' study, it has been demonstrated that PPARs regulate vascular wall directly, which, therefore, decelerate the development of atherosclerosis. In this review, we will look at current trends of PPARs research in their structure, function, and molecular mechanism related to pathogenesis and therapy of atherosclerosis.