Date Published: December 24, 2009
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Author(s): Jennifer MacKellar, Samuel W. Cushman, Vipul Periwal, Thorkild I. A. Sorensen. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0008196
Abstract: Adipose tissue grows by two mechanisms: hyperplasia (cell number increase) and hypertrophy (cell size increase). Thiazolidinediones are insulin-sensitizing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonists that are known to affect the morphology of adipose tissue.
Partial Text: The interplay between adipose tissue state and insulin sensitivity has been the subject of numerous studies (for a recent review, see [1], [2])). Adipose tissue grows by two mechanisms: hyperplasia (cell number increase) and hypertrophy (cell size increase). A dysfunction in the availability of lipid storage, normally provided by the growth and development of adipocytes, may be a major contributor to the development of insulin resistance, possibly associated with low-grade chronic inflammation.
PPAR[9] is a nuclear receptor whose agonists include fatty acids and thiazolidinediones. The activation of PPAR potentially affects a large number of physiological processes, including adipocyte differentiation, with actual activity determined in combination with various co-activators. TZDs improve peripheral insulin sensitivity. Their impact on adipocytes has also been studied [3], [2].
Source:
http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0008196