Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “PPAR”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

[Expression of PPAR-gamma in human hilar bile duct carcinoma cell line QBC939 and the effects of PPAR-Y activated by its ligand on the growth of QBC939].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) in QBC939 and the effects of PPAR-gamma activated by its ligand pioglitazone on the growth of human bile duct carcinoma cell line. METHODS: QBC939 cells were cultured and treated with different concentration of pioglitazone; the expression of PPAR-gamma mRNA was detected by RT-PCR; the effects of PPAR-gamma activated by its ligand on cell proliferation were examined by cell count under light microscope; the influences of activated PPAR-gamma on cell cycle were examined by flow cytometry, and the apoptosis of cancer cells induced by PPAR-gamma ligand pioglitazone was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL methods. RESULTS: PPAR-gamma was expressed in human hilar bile duct carcinoma cell line QBC939. And after PPAR-gamma was activated by its ligand pioglitazone, it significantly inhibited cell proliferation, produced G2/M phase arrest and induced apoptosis of QBC939. CONCLUSIONS: PPAR-gamma, after being activated by its ligand pioglitazone, can inhibit the cell growth of QBC939 remarkably through suppression of cell proliferation, increase in proportion of G2/M phase cells and induction of apoptosis, so PPAR-gamma may be a molecular therapeutical target against the human bile duct carcinoma.

Apoptosis↗

Fatty acid homeostasis and induction of lipid regulatory genes in skeletal muscles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha knock-out mice. Evidence for compensatory regulation by PPAR delta.

Ablation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, a lipid-activated transcription factor that regulates expression of beta-oxidative genes, results in profound metabolic abnormalities in liver and heart. In the present study we used PPAR alpha knockout (KO) mice to determine whether this transcription factor is essential for regulating fuel metabolism in skeletal muscle. When animals were challenged with exhaustive exercise or starvation, KO mice exhibited lower serum levels of glucose, lactate, and ketones and higher nonesterified fatty acids than wild type (WT) littermates. During exercise, KO mice exhausted earlier than WT and exhibited greater rates of glycogen depletion in liver but not skeletal muscle. Fatty acid oxidative capacity was similar between muscles of WT and KO when animals were fed and only 28% lower in KO muscles when animals were starved. Exercise-induced regulation and starvation-induced regulation of pyruvate-dehydrogenase kinase 4 and uncoupling protein 3, two classical and robustly responsive PPAR alpha target genes, were similar between WT and KO in skeletal muscle but markedly different between genotypes in heart. Real time quantitative PCR analyses showed that unlike in liver and heart, in mouse skeletal muscle PPAR delta is severalfold more abundant than either PPAR alpha or PPAR gamma. In both human and rodent myocytes, the highly selective PPAR delta agonist GW742 increased fatty acid oxidation about 2-fold and induced expression of several lipid regulatory genes, including pyruvate-dehydrogenase kinase 4 and uncoupling protein 3, responses that were similar to those elicited by the PPAR alpha agonist GW647. These results show redundancy in the functions of PPARs alpha and delta as transcriptional regulators of fatty acid homeostasis and suggest that in skeletal muscle high levels of the delta-subtype can compensate for deficiency of PPAR alpha.

Animals↗

Differential expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs): tissue distribution of PPAR-alpha, -beta, and -gamma in the adult rat.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily that can be activated by various xenobiotics and natural fatty acids. These transcription factors primarily regulate genes involved in lipid metabolism and also play a role in adipocyte differentiation. We present the expression patterns of the PPAR subtypes in the adult rat, determined by in situ hybridization using specific probes for PPAR-alpha, -beta and -gamma, and by immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody that recognizes the three rat PPAR subtypes. In numerous cell types from either ectodermal, mesodermal, or endodermal origin, PPARs are coexpressed, with relative levels varying between them from one cell type to the other. PPAR-alpha is highly expressed in hepatocytes, cardiomyocytes, enterocytes, and the proximal tubule cells of kidney. PPAR-beta is expressed ubiquitously and often at higher levels than PPAR-alpha and -gamma. PPAR-gamma is expressed predominantly in adipose tissue and the immune system. Our results suggest new potential directions to investigate the functions of the different PPAR subtypes.

Animals↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma1 (PPAR-gamma1) as a major PPAR in a tissue in which estrogen induces peroxisome proliferation.

Estradiol administration induces peroxisome proliferation and the production of 3-hydroxy fatty acid pheromones in the uropygial glands of the duck, but not in the goose gland, which does not produce such pheromones. We isolated a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma1 cDNA from a duck uropygial gland cDNA library. Northern blots revealed two transcripts, PPAR gamma1 and gamma2, and showed that PPAR gamma was expressed at higher levels than PPAR alpha in the uropygial gland of the duck. Although PPAR gamma2 was expressed in both duck and goose uropygial gland, PPAR gamma1 was expressed only in the duck gland, which responds to estrogen by peroxisome proliferation. In NIH 3T3 transfected cells, PPAR gamma1 was activated by peroxisome proliferators such as Wy-14643, clofibric acid and Ly-171883 causing induction of the target marker gene. By cotransfection with a plasmid containing alpha-cis-retinoic acid receptor RXR alpha, the induction increased up to 9-fold. These results suggest that PPAR gamma1 may be involved in peroxisome proliferation while PPAR gamma2 may be involved in lipid metabolism.

3T3 Cells↗

Differential gene regulation in human versus rodent hepatocytes by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha. PPAR alpha fails to induce peroxisome proliferation-associated genes in human cells independently of the level of receptor expresson.

We compared the ability of rat and human hepatocytes to respond to fenofibric acid and a novel potent phenylacetic acid peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist (compound 1). Fatty acyl-CoA oxidase (FACO) activity and mRNA were increased after treatment with either fenofibric acid or compound 1 in rat hepatocytes. In addition, apolipoprotein CIII mRNA was decreased by both fenofibric acid and compound 1 in rat hepatocytes. Both agonists decreased apolipoprotein CIII mRNA in human hepatocytes; however, very little change in FACO activity or mRNA was observed. Furthermore, other peroxisome proliferation (PP)-associated genes including peroxisomal 3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase (THIO), peroxisomal enoyl-CoA hydratase/3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HD), peroxisomal membrane protein-70 (PMP-70) were not regulated by PPAR alpha agonists in human hepatocytes. Moreover, other genes that are regulated by PPAR alpha ligands in human hepatocytes such as mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (CPT-1) were also regulated in HepG2 cells by PPAR alpha agonists. Several stably transfected HepG2 cell lines were established that overexpressed human PPAR alpha to levels between 6- and 26-fold over normal human hepatocytes. These PPAR alpha-overexpressing cells had higher basal mRNA levels of mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase and CPT-1; however, basal FACO mRNA levels and other PP-associated genes including THIO, HD, or PMP-70 mRNA were not substantially affected. In addition, FACO, THIO, HD, and PMP-70 mRNA levels did not increase in response to PPAR alpha agonist treatment in the PPAR alpha-overexpressing cells, although mitochondrial HMG-CoA synthase and CPT-1 mRNAs were both induced. These results suggest that other factors besides PPAR alpha levels determine the species-specific response of human and rat hepatocytes to the induction of PP.

3-Hydroxyacyl CoA Dehydrogenases↗

Gene expression profiling of potential peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) target genes in human hepatoblastoma cell lines inducibly expressing different PPAR isoforms.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-activated transcription factors and commonly play an important role in the regulation of lipid homeostasis. To identify human PPARs-responsive genes, we established tetracycline-regulated human hepatoblastoma cell lines that can be induced to express each human PPAR and investigated the gene expression profiles of these cells. RESULTS: The expression of each introduced PPAR gene was investigated using the various concentrations of doxycycline in the culture media. We found that the expression of each PPAR subtype was tightly controlled by the concentration of doxycycline in these established cell lines. DNA microarray analyses using these cell lines were performed with or without adding each subtype ligand and provided much important information on the PPAR target genes involved in lipid metabolism, transport, storage and other activities. Interestingly, it was noted that while ligand-activated PPARdelta induced target gene expression, unliganded PPARdelta repressed these genes. The real-time RT-PCR was used to verify the altered expression of selected genes by PPARs and we found that these genes were induced to express in the same pattern as detected in the microarray analyses. Furthermore, we analysed the 5'-flanking region of the human adipose differentiation-related protein (adrp) gene that responded to all subtypes of PPARs. From the detailed analyses by reporter assays, the EMSAs, and ChIP assays, we determined the functional PPRE of the human adrp gene. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that these cell lines are important tools used to identify the human PPARs-responsive genes.

Journal Article↗

Troglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma ) ligand, selectively induces the early growth response-1 gene independently of PPAR gamma. A novel mechanism for its anti-tumorigenic activity.

Troglitazone (TGZ) is a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) ligand that has pro-apoptotic activity in human colon cancer. Although TGZ binds to PPAR gamma transcription factors as an agonist, emerging evidence suggests that TGZ acts independently of PPAR gamma in many functions, including apoptosis. Early growth response-1 (Egr-1) transcription factor has been linked to apoptosis and shown to be activated by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). We investigated whether TGZ-induced apoptosis may be related to Egr-1 induction, because TGZ has been known to induce ERK activity. Our results show that Egr-1 is induced dramatically by TGZ but not by other PPAR gamma ligands. TGZ affects Egr-1 induction at least by two mechanisms; TGZ increases Egr-1 promoter activity by 2-fold and prolongs Egr-1 mRNA stability by 3-fold. Inhibition of ERK phosphorylation in HCT-116 cells abolishes the Egr-1 induction by TGZ, suggesting its ERK-dependent manner. Further, the TGZ-induced Egr-1 expression results in increased promoter activity using a reporter system containing four copies of Egr-1 binding sites, and TGZ induces Egr-1 binding activity to Egr-1 consensus sites as assessed by gel shift assay. In addition, TGZ induces ERK-dependent phosphorylation of PPAR gamma, resulting in the down-regulation of PPAR gamma activity. The fact that TGZ-induced apoptosis is accompanied by the biosynthesis of Egr-1 suggests that Egr-1 plays a pivotal role in TGZ-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells. Our results suggest that Egr-1 induction is a unique property of TGZ compared with other PPAR gamma ligands and is independent of PPAR gamma activation. Thus, the up-regulation of Egr-1 may provide an explanation for the anti-tumorigenic properties of TGZ.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Monitoring of PPAR alpha protein expression in human tissue by the use of PPAR alpha-specific MAbs.

We report the production and characterization of two PPAR alpha subtype-specific monoclonal antibodies raised against the N-terminal domain of PPAR alpha. P alpha b 11.80A is a Western-reactive antibody, whereas P alpha b 32.51 is useful for immunohistochemistry. Both antibodies exhibited high affinity against the immunogen based on BIAcore analysis, recognized full-length PPAR alpha protein in PPAR alpha-transfected CV-1 cells, and displayed no cross-reactivity against the N-terminal domains of PPAR gamma or PPAR delta proteins as demonstrated by various immunoassays. The application of these antibodies to a panel of normal human tissues revealed that PPAR alpha protein expression is highest in skeletal muscle, liver, and kidney, consistent with previously reported mRNA expression data. These antibodies provide us with valuable tools to further explore the function of PPAR alpha.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

The effect of high glucose and PPAR-gamma agonists on PPAR-gamma expression and function in HK-2 cells.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate cell growth, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and insulin sensitivity. PPAR-gamma in the human kidney has been described. However, the role of PPAR-gamma in proximal tubular cells with respect to cell growth and inflammation in diabetic nephropathy is largely unknown. We evaluated the effect of high (30 mM) D-glucose, thiazolidinedione pioglitazone (10 microM), and the selective PPAR-gamma agonist L-805645 (8 microM) on PPAR-gamma expression, growth, and inflammatory parameters in the proximal tubular model of HK-2 cells. PPAR-gamma was present in HK-2 cells and upregulated with 30 mM D-glucose to 177 +/- 31.2% of control (P < 0.05). PPAR-gamma activation was induced by pioglitazone to a similar level to that observed by exposure to high glucose but maximally induced by the selective agonist L-805645. However, L-805645 reduced cell viability in both 5 and 30 mM d-glucose to 73.8 +/- 3.1 and 77.6 +/- 1.4% of control (both P < 0.0001). In parallel, thymidine incorporation was reduced with L-805645 in both 5 and 30 mM D-glucose to 33.3 +/- 3.4 and 37.9 +/- 2.2%, respectively (both P < 0.0001). Flow cytometry demonstrated increased apoptosis and G(1) phase arrest in association with an increase in p21(cip1/waf1) in cells exposed to L-805645. Exposure to 30 mM D-glucose did not significantly change AP-1 promoter activity (89.0 +/- 5.5% of control); however, the addition of L-805645 significantly reduced it to 62.2 +/- 2.7% of control (P < 0.0001). Thirty nanomolar D-glucose induced transforming growth factor-beta(1) to 137.7 +/- 16.9% of control (P < 0.05), and L-805645 was able to suppress this to 68.7 +/- 5.7% of control (P < 0.01 vs. d-glucose). Exposure to 30 mM D-glucose reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels to 78.6 +/- 7.1% (P < 0.05) of control, with the reduction more marked in the presence of either pioglitazone (P < 0.01) or L-805645 (P < 0.01). In summary, high glucose upregulates PPAR-gamma and when significantly induced demonstrates anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects.

Cell Line↗

The expression of PPAR-associated genes is modulated through postnatal development of PPAR subtypes in the small intestine.

In this study, we found that the mRNA level of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha, but not of PPARdelta, was elevated in the jejunum during the postnatal development of the rat. Moreover, we found that the expressions of PPAR-dependent genes, such as acyl-CoA oxidase, L-FABP, and I-FABP, were also increased during the postnatal development of the small intestine. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that both the PPARalpha-9-cis-retinoic acid receptor alpha (RXRalpha) heterodimer and the PPARdelta-RXRalpha heterodimer bound to the peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE) of acyl-CoA oxidase and L-FABP genes. The binding of the PPARalpha-RXRalpha heterodimer to the PPREs of the various genes was enhanced by the addition of PPARalpha, with a concomitant reduction of the binding of PPARdelta-RXRalpha to the PPREs. Furthermore, the binding activity of PPARalpha-RXRalpha, but not PPARdelta-RXRalpha, to the PPREs was enhanced by the addition of a PPAR ligand, WY14,643. The GAL4-PPAR-chimera reporter assay showed that WY14,643 transactivated the reporter gene through action of PPARalpha, but not through PPARdelta, in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, oral administration of a PPAR ligand, clofibrate, during 3 consecutive days of the weanling period caused a parallel increase in the mRNA levels of these PPAR-dependent genes. These results suggest that acyl-CoA oxidase, L-FABP and the other PPAR-dependent genes in the small intestine may be coordinately modulated during postnatal development by the disproportional expression of PPARalpha over PPARdelta.

Acyl-CoA Oxidase↗

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha activation lowers muscle lipids and improves insulin sensitivity in high fat-fed rats: comparison with PPAR-gamma activation.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha agonists lower circulating lipids, but the consequences for muscle lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity are not clear. We investigated whether PPAR-alpha activation improves insulin sensitivity in insulin-resistant rats and compared the effects with PPAR-gamma activation. Three-week high fat-fed male Wistar rats were untreated or treated with the specific PPAR-alpha agonist WY14643 or the PPAR-gamma agonist pioglitazone (both 3 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) for the last 2 weeks of high-fat feeding. Like pioglitazone, WY14643 lowered basal plasma levels of glucose, triglycerides (-16% vs. untreated), and leptin (-52%), and also muscle triglyceride (-34%) and total long-chain acyl-CoAs (LCACoAs) (-41%) (P < 0.05). In contrast to pioglitazone, WY14643 substantially reduced visceral fat weight and total liver triglyceride content (P < 0.01) without increasing body weight gain. WY14643 and pioglitazone similarly enhanced whole-body insulin sensitivity (clamp glucose infusion rate increased 35 and 37% and glucose disposal 22 and 15%, respectively, vs. untreated). Both agents enhanced insulin-mediated muscle glucose metabolic index (Rg') and reduced muscle triglyceride and LCACoA accumulation (P < 0.05). Although pioglitazone had more potent effects than WY14643 on muscle insulin sensitization, this was associated with its greater effect to reduce muscle LCACoA accumulation. Overall insulin-mediated muscle Rg' was inversely correlated with the content of LCACoAs (r = -0.74, P = 0.001) and with plasma triglyceride levels (r = -0.77, P < 0.001). We conclude that even though WY14643 and pioglitazone, representing PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma activation, respectively, may alter muscle lipid supply by different mechanisms, both significantly improve muscle insulin action in the high fat-fed rat model of insulin resistance, and this effect is proportional to the degree to which they reduce muscle lipid accumulation.

Animals↗

PPAR-gamma expression in pituitary tumours and the functional activity of the glitazones: evidence that any anti-proliferative effect of the glitazones is independent of the PPAR-gamma receptor.

OBJECTIVE: It has been reported that both normal pituitary and pituitary tumours express PPAR-gamma, a nuclear hormone receptor, the expression being more abundant in pituitary tumours, and that this is the basis for the reported antiproliferative effects of the thiazolidinedione, rosiglitazone, in animal models. However, the mechanisms for the responsivity to rosiglitazone have remained unclear. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: To investigate this further, 'real-time' PCR was used to assess PPAR-gamma mRNA expression, and Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to study its protein expression, in 46 human pituitary tumours and normal pituitary tissue. Cell proliferation of the GH3 pituitary cell line was assessed by [3H]-thymidine-incorporation after 48 h rosiglitazone and pioglitazone (10(-4) M- 10(-10) M) treatment alone, or rosiglitazone in combination with the PPAR-gamma antagonist GW9662. RESULTS: PPAR-gamma mRNA and protein was found to be expressed in normal pituitary and was variably expressed in pituitary tumours, but were increased specifically in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas. However, very little staining was observed with immunohistochemistry, with only occasional cell nuclei stained, and no difference was detectable between controls and tumours. Rosiglitazone at 10(-4) M and 10(-5) M concentrations inhibited cell proliferation (10(-4) M 14.0% +/- 1.5% and 10(-5) M 67% +/- 4%[mean +/- SEM]vs Control 100% +/- 3%, P < 0.0001) while lower concentrations showed no significant effect. Following withdrawal of rosiglitazone 10(-5) M, the cells fully recovered at a further 48 h, while lower doses showed a 'rebound' of stimulation. Pioglitazone was of similar potency to rosiglitazone in inhibiting proliferation. The PPAR-gamma antagonist did not show a significant reversal of the antiproliferative effect of rosiglitazone, and indeed suppressed proliferation on its own. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the antiproliferative action of rosiglitazone is probably not via PPAR-gamma.

Adenoma↗

Molecular modelling of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) from human, rat and mouse, based on homology with the human PPAR gamma crystal structure.

The generation of homology models of human, rat and mouse peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha) are reported, based on the recently published crystal structure of the human PPAR gamma ligand-binding domain (LBD) with bound ligand, rosiglitazone. It is found that a template of peroxisome proliferating fibrate drugs and related compounds can fit within the putative ligand-binding site of rat PPAR alpha, via contacts with amino acid residues which are consistent with their biological potency for peroxisome proliferation, site-directed mutagenesis experiments and with quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis studies. The experimental binding affinity of leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) for the mouse PPAR alpha agrees closely with the calculated value based on the modelled interactions, whereas selective PPAR alpha ligands such as clofibric acid are able to fit the human PPAR alpha binding site in agreement with reported site-directed mutagenesis information.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cross-talk between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha and liver X receptor (LXR) in nutritional regulation of fatty acid metabolism. I. PPARs suppress sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c promoter through inhibition of LXR signaling.

Liver X receptors (LXRs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of nuclear receptors that form obligate heterodimers with retinoid X receptors (RXRs). These nuclear receptors play crucial roles in the regulation of fatty acid metabolism: LXRs activate expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), a dominant lipogenic gene regulator, whereas PPARalpha promotes fatty acid beta-oxidation genes. In the current study, effects of PPARs on the LXR-SREBP-1c pathway were investigated. Luciferase assays in human embryonic kidney 293 cells showed that overexpression of PPARalpha and gamma dose-dependently inhibited SREBP-1c promoter activity induced by LXR. Deletion and mutation studies demonstrated that the two LXR response elements (LXREs) in the SREBP-1c promoter region are responsible for this inhibitory effect of PPARs. Gel shift assays indicated that PPARs reduce binding of LXR/RXR to LXRE. PPARalpha-selective agonist enhanced these inhibitory effects. Supplementation with RXR attenuated these inhibitions by PPARs in luciferase and gel shift assays, implicating receptor interaction among LXR, PPAR, and RXR as a plausible mechanism. Competition of PPARalpha ligand with LXR ligand was observed in LXR/RXR binding to LXRE in gel shift assay, in LXR/RXR formation in nuclear extracts by coimmunoprecipitation, and in gene expression of SREBP-1c by Northern blot analysis of rat primary hepatocytes and mouse liver RNA. These data suggest that PPARalpha activation can suppress LXR-SREBP-1c pathway through reduction of LXR/RXR formation, proposing a novel transcription factor cross-talk between LXR and PPARalpha in hepatic lipid homeostasis.

Animals↗

The PPAR genes, cardiovascular disease and the emergence of PPAR pharmacogenetics.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) comprise a group of related transcription factors that serve to regulate a number of cellular processes that are central to cardiovascular health and disease. Two large bodies of work strongly implicate the PPARs as key factors in normal cardiovascular physiology and in cardiovascular pathophysiology: i) studies demonstrating associations between PPAR and abnormal cardiovascular phenotypes; and ii) pharmacological studies assessing the effects of specific PPAR agonists in clinical trials. With the abundance of data available from these studies as a background, PPAR pharmacogenetics has become a promising and rapidly-advancing field. This review summarises the current state of understanding of PPAR pharmacogenetics and its profound implications for the individualisation of therapy for patients with a diverse group of cardiovascular diseases.

Animals↗

Effects of dietary mulberry, Korean red ginseng, and banaba on glucose homeostasis in relation to PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma, and LPL mRNA expressions.

Despite lack of scientific evidences to support its therapeutic efficacy, the use of herbal supplements has significantly increased. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of traditional anti-diabetic herbs on the progress of diabetes in db/db mice, a typical non-insulin-dependent model. Five different experimental diets were as follows: control diet, 0.5% mulberry leaf water extract diet, 0.5% Korean red ginseng diet, 0.5% banaba leaf water extract diet, and 0.5% combination diet (mulberry leaf water extract/Korean red ginseng/banaba leaf water extract, 1:1:1). Blood levels of glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and triglyceride were measured every 2 weeks. At 12 weeks of age, animals were sacrificed, and tissue mRNA levels of PPAR-alpha, PPAR-gamma, and LPL were determined. Results indicated that mulberry leaf water extract, Korean red ginseng, banaba leaf water extract, and the combination of above herbs effectively reduced blood glucose, insulin, TG, and percent HbA1c in study animals (p<0.05). We also observed that the increased expressions of liver PPAR-alpha mRNA and adipose tissue PPAR-gamma mRNA in animals fed diets supplemented with test herbs. The expression of liver LPL mRNA was also increased with experimental diets containing herbs. The efficacy was highest in animals fed the combination diet for all of the markers used. These results suggest that mulberry leaf water extract, Korean red ginseng, banaba leaf water extract, and the combination of these herbs fed at the level of 0.5% of the diet significantly increase insulin sensitivity, and improve hyperglycemia possibly through regulating PPAR-mediated lipid metabolism.

Adipose Tissue↗

A dominant negative human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR){alpha} is a constitutive transcriptional corepressor and inhibits signaling through all PPAR isoforms.

Several missense mutations in the ligand-binding domain of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma have been described in subjects with dominantly inherited severe insulin resistance associated with partial lipodystrophy, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. These mutant receptors behave as dominant-negative inhibitors of PPARgamma signaling when studied in transfected cells. The extent to which such dominant-negative effects extend to signaling through other coexpressed PPAR isoforms has not been evaluated. To examine these issues further, we have created a PPARalpha mutant harboring twin substitutions, Leu459Ala and Glu462Ala, within the ligand binding domain (PPARalpha(mut)), examined its signaling properties, and compared the effects of dominant-negative PPARalpha and PPARgamma mutants on basal and ligand-induced gene transcription in adipocytes and hepatocytes. PPARalpha(mut) was transcriptionally inactive, repressed basal activity from a PPAR response element-containing promoter, inhibited the coactivator function of cotransfected PPAR-gamma coactivator 1alpha, and strongly inhibited the transcriptional response to cotransfected wild-type receptor. In contrast to PPARgamma, wild-type PPARalpha failed to recruit the transcriptional corepressors NCoR and SMRT. However, PPARalpha(mut) avidly recruited these corepressors in a ligand-dissociable manner. In hepatocytes and adipocytes, both PPARalpha(mut) and the corresponding PPARgamma mutant were capable of inhibiting the expression of genes primarily regulated by PPARalpha, -gamma, or -delta ligands, albeit with some differences in potency. Thus, dominant-negative forms of PPARalpha and PPARgamma are capable of interfering with PPAR signaling in a manner that is not wholly restricted to their cognate target genes. These findings may have implications for the pathogenesis of human syndromes resulting from mutations in this family of transcription factors.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Differential modulation of COX-2 expression in A549 airway epithelial cells by structurally distinct PPAR(gamma) agonists: evidence for disparate functional effects which are independent of NF-(kappa)B and PPAR(gamma).

Ligands of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR(gamma)) are thought to possess anti-inflammatory properties mediated via both PPAR(gamma) dependent and independent mechanisms. This work investigates the effects of PPAR(gamma) ligands on the regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the human lung epithelial cell line, A549. The synthetic ligand troglitazone activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPK), whereas the endogenous ligand, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2), only activated the PI3K pathway. 15d-PGJ2 had no detectable effects on COX-2, mPGES expression, or PGE2 production. However, troglitazone induced time-dependent COX-2 expression, which was insensitive to PPAR(gamma) antagonists, but was abrogated by inhibitors of PI3K and the ERK MAP kinase pathway. Furthermore, troglitazone induced mPGES expression and PGE2 production. Neither troglitazone nor 15d-PGJ2 was able to convincingly activate NF-kappaB in A549 cells. Further heterogeneity in the responses to troglitazone and 15d-PGJ2 was observed in the regulation of gene expression as assessed by microarray analysis. In summary, this study provides compelling evidence that troglitazone (like 15d-PGJ2) can exert functional effects independently of actions via PPAR(gamma). Moreover, we have identified unique biochemical and functional actions of troglitazone that are not shared by 15d-PGJ2, which may influence the therapeutic potential of this compound in inflammatory settings.

Cell Line↗