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Query: UMLS:C0020538 (hypertension)
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The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are a group of nuclear receptor isoforms, including PPARgamma, PPARalpha, and PPARdelta, encoded by different genes. PPARs are ligand-regulated transcription factors that control gene expression by binding to specific response elements (PPREs) within promoters. PPARs bind as heterodimers with a retinoid X receptor and, upon binding agonist, interact with cofactors increasing the rate of transcription initiation. The PPARs play a critical physiological role as lipid sensors and regulators of lipid metabolism. Natural ligands for the PPARs include fatty acids and eicosanoids. More potent synthetic PPAR ligands, including the fibrates and thiazolidinediones, are effective in the treatment of dyslipidemia and diabetes. Use of selective ligands led to the discovery of additional potential roles for the PPARs in pathological states, including atherosclerosis, inflammation, and hypertension. This review provides an overview of the molecular mechanisms of PPAR action and the involvement of the PPARs in the etiology and treatment of several chronic diseases.
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PMID:Physiological and therapeutic roles of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. 1207 20

Several cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidaemia, hypertension, glucose intolerance, hypercoagulability, obesity, hyperinsulinaemia and low-grade inflammation) cluster in the insulin resistance syndrome. Treatment of these individual risk factors reduces cardiovascular complications. However, targeting the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of the insulin resistance syndrome is a more rational treatment strategy to further improve cardiovascular outcome. Our understanding of the so-called cardiovascular dysmetabolic syndrome has been improved by the discovery of nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). PPARs are ligand-activated transcription factors belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. As transcription factors, PPARs regulate the expression of numerous genes and affect glycaemic control, lipid metabolism, vascular tone and inflammation. Activation of the subtype PPAR-gamma improves insulin sensitivity. Expression of PPAR-gamma is present in several cell types involved in the process of atherosclerosis. Thus, modulation of PPAR-gamma activity is an interesting therapeutic approach to reduce cardiovascular events. Thiazolidinediones are PPAR-gamma agonists and constitute a new class of pharmacological agents for the treatment of type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Two such compounds are currently available for clinical use: rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. Thiazolidinediones improve insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition, improvement in endothelial function, a decrease in inflammatory conditions, a decrease in plasma levels of free fatty acids and lower blood pressure have been observed, which may have important beneficial effects on the vasculature. Several questions remain to be answered about PPAR-gamma agonists, particularly with respect to the role of PPAR-gamma in vascular pathophysiology. More needs to be known about the adverse effects of thiazolidinediones, such as hepatotoxicity, increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and increased oedema. The paradox of adipocyte differentiation with weight gain concurring with the insulin-sensitising effect of thiazolidinediones is not completely understood. The decrease in blood pressure induced by thiazolidinedione treatment seems incompatible with an increase in the plasma volume, and the discrepancy between the stimulation of the expression of CD36 and the antiatherogenic effects of the thiazolidinediones also needs further explanation. Long-term clinical trials of thiazolidinediones with cardiovascular endpoints are currently in progress. In conclusion, studying the effects of thiazolidinediones may shed more light on the mechanisms involved in the insulin resistance syndrome. Furthermore, thiazolidinediones could have specific, direct effects on processes involved in the development of vascular abnormalities.
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PMID:Metabolic and additional vascular effects of thiazolidinediones. 1209 15

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), especially the PPARalpha and PPARgamma, are associated with an extraordinary diverse spectrum of cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, angiogenesis, cardiac hypertrophy, and atherosclerosis. PGAR (for PPAR gamma angiopoietin-related gene) is a recently identified PPAR target gene which is associated with adipose differentiation, systemic lipid metabolism, energy homeostasis, and possibly angiogenesis. We report here that WY-14643, a selective PPARalpha ligand up-regulated PGAR expression in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. In parallel to activating the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and glucose transporter-4, hypoxia increased PGAR mRNA levels. PGAR expression was also increased by desferrioxamine and CoCl(2), but not by sodium cyanide, results consistent with the pharmacological features of hypoxia-responsive genes. These studies are the first to demonstrate that hypoxia increases the mRNA levels of a PPAR target gene in cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, infection with adenoviral vectors encoding the wild-type or a hybrid form of HIF-1alpha highly increased PGAR mRNA levels. In contrast, neither hypoxia nor overexpression of HIF-1alpha affected the mRNA levels of PPARalpha, PPAR gamma, and muscle carnitine palmitoyltransferase, a known PPARalpha target gene. These results suggest that hypoxic activation of PGAR expression is likely mediated by HIF-1 but not the PPARalpha/RXR pathway.
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PMID:Hypoxia up-regulates expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma angiopoietin-related gene (PGAR) in cardiomyocytes: role of hypoxia inducible factor 1alpha. 1209 11

Insulin resistance and/or compensatory hyperinsulinemia are associated with hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are considered to increase blood pressure through sympathetic nervous system activation, renin-angiotensin system stimulation, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Leptin, magnesium ions, nitric oxide, endothelin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha also modulate blood pressure. Decreasing insulin resistance by lifestyle modification including diet, weight loss, and physical exercise has been shown to reduce blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have a beneficial effect on insulin resistance. On the other hand, the angiotensin II antagonist, losartan, does not affect insulin sensitivity. The selective alpha1-blockers have a favorable metabolic profile producing increases in insulin sensitivity. A short-acting type calcium channel blocker seems to decrease insulin sensitivity. On the other hand, long-acting type calcium channel blockers improve insulin sensitivity. Thiazide diuretics and most of the beta-blockers decrease insulin sensitivity. Vasodilatory beta-blockers have been reported to improve insulin sensitivity. Use of low-dose diuretics avoids the adverse effects seen with conventional doses.
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PMID:Hypertension and insulin disorders. 1241 78

Insulin resistance, defined as the decreased ability of insulin to perform its biological functions, is likely to represent the primary physiologic defect underlying the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS), which includes insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus, visceral obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. This constellation of traits is a leading cause of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Insulin sensitivity varies widely among individuals. Although environmental provocations including physical inactivity and caloric excess play an important role in the development of obesity and thus insulin resistance, epidemiologic and family studies show that there are also moderate genetic influences on the development of insulin resistance. Extreme forms of insulin resistance may be caused rarely by mutations in the genes for the insulin receptor and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. However, the genetic basis for common more moderate forms of insulin resistance is likely to be polygenic and heterogeneous. Evidence further suggests that gene variants may have phenotypic influences on more than one IRS trait (so-called pleiotrophy), which may explain, in part, the clustering of these traits. This article reviews the evidence that insulin resistance has a genetic basis. Progress to date toward identifying specific gene variants are reviewed. Ultimately, the identification of specific gene variants that influence insulin resistance and other IRS traits will have profound influences on our understanding of the molecular and pathophysiologic basis of these disorders, from which new and more effective preventive and therapeutic interventions will be possible.
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PMID:Genetics of insulin resistance. 1264 27

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) is a nuclear receptor, which upon activation with various natural and synthetic ligands, stimulates the transcription of genes responsible for growth and differentiation of adipocytes. Furthermore, PPAR gamma is the receptor for the insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones, which are commonly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Rare inactivating mutations of the gene encoding PPAR gamma are associated with insulin resistance type 2 diabetes, and hypertension, whereas a rare gain of function mutation causes extreme obesity. A common polymorphism (Pro12Ala) of the adipose tissue-specific gamma 2 isoform is associated with increased insulin sensitivity and decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These findings indicate a central role of PPAR gamma in fat cell biology and in the pathophysiology of obesity, diabetes, and insulin resistance.
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PMID:The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in diabetes and obesity. 1264 37

We previously reported a syndrome of severe hyperinsulinemia and early-onset hypertension in three patients with dominant-negative mutations in the nuclear hormone receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma. We now report the results of further detailed pathophysiological evaluation of these subjects, the identification of affected prepubertal children within one of the original families, and the effects of thiazolidinedione therapy in two subjects. These studies 1) definitively demonstrate the presence of severe peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance in the affected subjects; 2) describe a stereotyped pattern of partial lipodystrophy associated with all the features of the metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis; 3) document abnormalities in the in vivo function of remaining adipose tissue, including the inability of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue to trap and store free fatty acids postprandially and the presence of very low circulating levels of adiponectin; 4) document the presence of severe hyperinsulinemia in prepubertal carriers of the proline-467-leucine (P467L) PPAR-gamma mutation; 5) provide the first direct evidence of cellular resistance to PPAR-gamma agonists in mononuclear cells derived from the patients; and 6) report on the metabolic response to thiazolidinedione therapy in two affected subjects. Although the condition is rare, the study of humans with dominant-negative mutations in PPAR-gamma can provide important insight into the roles of this nuclear receptor in human metabolism.
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PMID:Human metabolic syndrome resulting from dominant-negative mutations in the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma. 1266 60

By the end of this decade, it has been estimated that between 200 million and 300 million people worldwide will meet World Health Organization diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus. This epidemic of predominantly type 2 diabetes has largely been mediated by our shift toward a more sedentary lifestyle predisposing to obesity and insulin resistance. Affected individuals can also exhibit an array of associated undesirable traits such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hypercoagulability, leading to morbidity and mortality from atherosclerotic vascular disease. The coexistence of several of these traits with insulin resistance constitutes the metabolic syndrome. Accordingly, improving insulin sensitivity in this group, and thereby potentially ameliorating the excess vascular risk, is a primary goal of treatment. Recent interest has focused on the thiazolidinediones, a novel class of antidiabetic agents, which act as insulin sensitizers and, therefore, potentially target the underlying metabolic disturbance. These agents are high-affinity ligands for the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and a large body of in vitro and in vivo data has evolved to support their increasing clinical use. Importantly, clinical and laboratory findings in human subjects harboring natural mutations and polymorphisms within the receptor have provided additional insights. Here, we focus on the consequences of inherited variation in the human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene, linking this receptor to disordered glucose homeostasis, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, and blood pressure regulation. These studies provide further support for the future development of more selective receptor modulators, targeting specific pathways to ameliorate facets of the metabolic syndrome.
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PMID:The metabolic syndrome: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and its therapeutic modulation. 1278 36

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activation may prevent cardiac hypertrophy and inhibit production of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a hypertrophic agent. The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the effects of PPAR activators on cardiac remodeling in DOCA-salt rats, a model overexpressing ET-1. Unilaterally nephrectomized 16-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats (Uni-Nx) were randomly divided into 4 groups: control rats, DOCA-salt, DOCA-salt+rosiglitazone (PPAR-gamma activator, 5 mg/kg per day), and DOCA-salt+fenofibrate (PPAR-alpha activator, 100 mg/kg per day). After 3 weeks of treatment, mean arterial blood pressure was significantly increased in DOCA-salt by 36 mm Hg. Mean arterial blood pressure was normalized by coadministration of rosiglitazone but not by fenofibrate. Both PPAR activators prevented cardiac fibrosis and abrogated the increase in prepro-ET-1 mRNA content in the left ventricle of DOCA-salt rats. Coadministration of rosiglitazone or fenofibrate failed to prevent thickening of left ventricle (LV) walls as measured by echocardiography and the increase in atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA levels. However, rosiglitazone and fenofibrate prevented the decrease in LV internal diameter and thus concentric remodeling of the LV found in DOCA-salt rats. Taken together, these data indicate a modulatory role of PPAR activators on cardiac remodeling in mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension, in part associated with decreased ET-1 production.
Hypertension 2003 Oct
PMID:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha and receptor-gamma activators prevent cardiac fibrosis in mineralocorticoid-dependent hypertension. 1286 Aug 36

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) are nuclear receptors acting as transcription factors on numerous target genes after heterodimerization with the retinoid X receptor. PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma may be activated by different agonists, although the endogenous ligands are unknown. Although PPAR-alpha is mainly involved in fatty acid oxidation and expressed in liver, kidney, and skeletal muscle, and PPAR-gamma is mainly involved in fat cell differentiation and insulin sensitivity, both are expressed in smooth muscle cells and myocardium, although PPAR-gamma are scarce in the latter. Activators of PPAR-alpha such as fatty acids and fibrates, and PPAR-gamma such as thiazolidinediones have been shown to exert antiproliferative effects, antagonize angiotensin II actions in vivo and in vitro, and exert antioxidant actions inhibiting generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of inflammatory mediators on blood vessels and the heart. These agents lowered blood pressure in several models of hypertension and corrected endothelial dysfunction. They exerted anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic actions on blood vessels and the heart. With the development of dual alpha/gamma-PPAR activators, these newer agents may become interesting therapeutic agents for prevention of vascular and cardiac complications of hypertension as well as for preventative therapy in other forms of cardiovascular disease.
Hypertension 2003 Oct
PMID:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: vascular and cardiac effects in hypertension. 1287 98


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