[PPARs: the role in glucose and lipid homeostasis, insulin resistance and atherosclerosis].

This review deals with general mechanisms of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) functions, describes the mode of action of various PPAR subtypes in different tissues and their participation in transcription of genes governing lipid and glucose homeostasis. The hypothetic role of free fatty acids in mediating metabolic effects of PPARs, their role in insulin resistance and genetic studies highlighting the ligand-independent activation and post-translational modification of PPARgamma are disscussed in details. A possible role for PPARs in atherosclerosis, especially in connection with macrophage function in this process, is also explained.