Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and neurodegenerative disorders

Yu Chang Chen, Jui Sheng Wu, Hsin Da Tsai, Chien Yu Huang, Jin Jer Chen, Grace Y. Sun, Teng Nan Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

111 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As the growth of the aging population continues to accelerate globally, increased prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and stroke, has generated substantial public concern. Unfortunately, despite of discoveries of common factors underlying these diseases, few drugs are available to effectively treat these diseases. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is a ligand-activated transcriptional factor that belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily. PPAR-γ has been shown to influence the expression or activity of a large number of genes in a variety of signaling networks, including regulation of insulin sensitivity, glucose homeostasis, fatty acid oxidation, immune responses, redox balance, cardiovascular integrity, and cell fates. Recent epidemiological, preclinical animal, and clinical studies also show that PPAR- γ agonists can lower the incidence of a number of neurological disorders, despite of multiple etiological factors involved in the development of these disorders. In this manuscript, we review current knowledge on mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of PPAR-γ in different neurodegenerative diseases, in particular, AD, PD, and stroke, and attempt to analyze common and overlapping features among these diseases. Our investigation unveiled information suggesting the ability for PPAR-γ to inhibit NF-κB-mediated inflammatory signaling at multiple sites, and conclude that PPAR-γ agonists represent a novel class of drugs for treating neuroinflammatory diseases.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)114-124
Number of pages11
JournalMolecular Neurobiology
Volume46
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Inflammation
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Stroke
  • Transcription factor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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