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Role of PPAR-gamma in inflammation. Prospects for therapeutic intervention by food components

Harry Martin1

  • 1The New Zealand Institute for Plant & Food Research Limited, Palmerston North, New Zealand. hmartin@hortresearch.co.nz

Mutation Research
|July 1, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Natural compounds activating peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) show potential for treating inflammatory and allergic diseases. Dietary intervention targeting PPARgamma offers promising health benefits by modulating immune responses.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a nuclear receptor involved in gene expression.
  • PPARgamma regulates adipocyte differentiation, glucose metabolism, and is a target for anti-diabetic drugs.
  • Emerging evidence highlights PPARgamma's crucial role in immune response, inhibiting inflammatory cytokines and promoting anti-inflammatory immune cell phenotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of PPARgamma in immune response and inflammation.
  • To explore the potential of natural PPARgamma agonists from food for human health.
  • To assess the prospects of dietary intervention for inflammatory and allergic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of PPARgamma function and its ligands.
  • Analysis of clinical trial data on PPARgamma agonists.
  • Examination of the impact of dietary constituents on PPARgamma activity.

Main Results:

  • PPARgamma agonists, including natural dietary compounds, can inhibit inflammatory cytokine expression.
  • Immune cells differentiate towards anti-inflammatory phenotypes under PPARgamma influence.
  • Natural PPARgamma agonists show promise as anti-inflammatory agents.

Conclusions:

  • PPARgamma is a significant target for both the pharmaceutical and food industries due to its role in inflammation.
  • Dietary intervention utilizing natural PPARgamma activators presents a viable strategy for managing inflammatory and allergic conditions.
  • The structural diversity of PPARgamma ligands, including dietary components, underscores its potential for therapeutic applications.

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