PPARa as target for pharmacological and nutritional agents affecting lipid metabolism.

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARa) binds fatty acids, eicosanoids, or fibrates, and regulates transcription of specific genes. These genes are involved both in lipid and glucose metabolism as well as in cellular differentiation and inflammation. Thus, PPARa controls metabolic and inflammatory disturbances and therefore, its activation is expected to normalize lipid and glucose parameters and exert anti-inflammatory effects. In/act, PPARa agonists have already been demonstrated to benefit metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. However, several findings have revealed either potential adverse effects or unefficient hypolipidemic action of PPARa activation, highlighting the need to search for pharmacological or nutritional solutions based on modulation of PPARa This strategy could be either complementary to or replace the classical therapy. Thus, compounds that selectively and/or specifically modulate PPARa activity appear to be a promising alternative.