Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors as targets to treat metabolic diseases: Focus on the adipose tissue, liver, and pancreas

Figure 5 Beneficial effects of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activation on the liver. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activation mitigates hepatic steatosis through the activation of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis and beta-oxidation, such as Pgc1α and Cpt1a. Dual PPARα/γ agonists emerge as promising candidates to treat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis once this approach reduces hepatic stellate cells activation, keeping their quiescent stage and impeding fibrogenesis. PPARβ/δ/δ activation entails antisteatotic effects through alleviating the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Made with Biorender (www.biorender.com). PPAR: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor; Pgc1α: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha; Cpt1a: Carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a; HSC: Hepatic stellate cell; ER: Endoplasmic reticulum. Created by BioRender.