There is evidence th at a group of closely related nuclear receptors, called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), may be involved in chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, artherosclerosis and cancer. The PPARs were first cloned as the nuclear receptors th at mediate the effects of synthetic compounds called peroxisome proliferators on gene transcription. It soon became clear th at eicosanoids and fatty acids can also regulate gene transcription through PPARs. They bind a specific element in the promoter region of target genes only as a heterodimer with the receptor for 9- cis retinoic acid, RXR (retinoid X receptor). Binding of the ligand of either receptor can activate the complex, but binding of both ligands simultaneously is more potent. Three PPAR isotypes have been identified: α, β (also called NUC1) and γ. PPARβ is found in many tissues but the highest expression is in the gut, kidney and heart. PPARβ or PPARδ have received little attention, probably because of the lack of a connection with important clinical manifestations. However, recently PPARβ has been linked to colon cancer (3) and as an inducer of COX-2 expression in carcinogenesis, among other functions. PPAR regulates the expression of acyl-CoA synthetase 2 in the brain, linking PPARβ to basic lipid metabolism. Moreover, it probably participates in embryo implantation and decidualization.
