Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma ligands and ischemia and reperfusion injury.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors that are related to retinoid, steroid and thyroid hormone receptors. The PPAR subfamily comprises of three members, PPAR-alpha, PPAR-beta and PPAR-gamma. PPAR-gamma has recently been implicated as a regulator of cellular proliferation and inflammatory responses. There is good evidence that ligands of PPAR-gamma, including certain thiazolinediones, reduce tissue injury associated with ischemia and reperfusion. The potential utility of PPAR-gamma ligands in ischemia and reperfusion will be discussed in this review.