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Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Agonists in Kidney Disease – Future Promise, Present Fears
Zhiguo Mao^a–c, Albert C.M. Ong<sup>a, b

a</sup>Kidney Genetics Group, Academic Nephrology Unit, Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Medical Research, University of Sheffield Medical School, and
^bSheffield Kidney Institute, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK;
^cDivision of Nephrology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China

Address of Corresponding Author

Nephron Clin Pract 2009;112:c230-c241 (DOI: 10.1159/000224789)

  Key Words

• PPAR-γ agonists
• Thiazolidinediones
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes mellitus

  Abstract

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor superfamily (PPARs) comprises a class of nuclear receptors with significant effects in regulating multiple cellular pathways. Much research and clinical interest has surrounded the PPAR-γ isoform because of its key role in the transcriptional regulation of metabolic pathways and the efficacy of thiazolidinediones, the most clinically used PPAR-γ agonist, in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this review, we discuss the pathogenic role of PPAR-γ in experimental models of kidney disease, clinical trials of thiazolidinediones in diabetic and non-diabetic kidney disease, recent safety concerns surrounding PPAR-γ agonists and reflect on their potential use in ‘orphan’ kidney diseases.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Prof. A.C.M. Ong, Kidney Genetics Group, Academic Unit of Nephrology
Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Medical Research
University of Sheffield Medical School
Beech Hill Road, Sheffield S10 2RX (UK)
Tel. +44 114 271 3402, Fax +44 114 271 1711, E-Mail a.ong@sheffield.ac.uk

  Article Information

Published online: June 16, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 12
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 87
Additional supplementary material is available online - Number of Parts : 1