Role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors in osteoarthritis (Review)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, for which treatment options are not always satisfactory, since complete cure for OA is not yet possible. A better understanding of OA pathogenesis is thus important. The peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor (PPAR) plays a major regulatory role in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. This review article aimed to discuss the biological function of PPARs, and their role in regulating OA progression, as well as the therapeutic aspect of PPARs in OA. Studies indicate that PPARs regulate articular cartilage homeostasis through the modulation of various signaling pathways, and reduce the inflammatory responses in human OA cartilage. Furthermore, the deficiency of PPARs in the articular cartilage might be responsible for the acceleration of severe OA by increasing catabolic activity and suppression of chondroprotection. Therapeutic applications of PPAR‑agonists can thus reduce the development of cartilage lesions by inhibiting the synthesis of various catabolic and inflammatory factors involved in the pathogenesis of OA. PPARs are thus important proteins in OA regulation, which may have significant importance in OA therapeutics.