Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor δ, A Target with a Broad Therapeutic Potential for Drug Discovery

Call for Papers

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha (α) and gamma (γ) agonists are currently in clinical use and have shed light on the treatment of hyper-triglyceridemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In contrast, so far no synthetic selective PPAR delta (δ) agonists have been marketed for clinical use in humans and analysis of the PPAR-δ functions is still lagging behind. Recent discoveries aided by the development of high-affinity PPAR-δ agonists and genetic models have uncovered multiple benefits of PPAR-δ activation on lipid disorders, obesity, insulin resistance and on inflammation. This highlights the broad potential of PPAR-δ agonists in the treatment of metabolic disease. Moreover, studies have also pointed out a role for PPAR-δ in skin and gut homeostasis, suggesting additional therapeutic applications for synthetic PPAR-δ ligands. Extensive research still remains to be done but the prospect of understanding the physiological role of PPAR-δ has significantly brightened. The purpose of this special issue of PPAR Research is to provide an extensive, global overview of PPAR-δ biology and drug development.

Authors are invited to present original research articles, reviews, or minireviews that address all aspects related to PPAR-δ. Chemistry-based, molecular, and genetic studies, as well as preclinical and clinical studies involving PPAR-δ and/or natural and synthetic modulators of PPAR-δ will be considered.

Potential topics include (but are not limited to):

Authors should follow the PPAR Research manuscript format described at the journal site http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ppar/. Prospective authors should submit an electronic copy of their complete manuscript through the journal Manuscript Tracking System at http://mts.hindawi.com/, according to the following timetable:

Manuscript Due	July 1, 2008
First Round of Reviews	September 1, 2008
Publication Date	December 1, 2008

Guest Editor:

• Francine M. Gregoire, Department of Biology, Metabolex Inc., Hayward, CA 94545, USA