FIG. 8.

Schematic view of PPARγ roles in the heart. PPARγ agonists are associated with increased myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events in humans. PPARγ agonists decrease ischemia/reperfusion injury and cardiac hypertrophy while increasing contractile function in mice. Administration of PPARγ agonists decreases JNK/AP-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways and increases carbohydrate oxidation in mice. Mice with cardiac-specific PPARγ overexpression show a dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype. Moreover, these mice have increased expression of genes involved in glucose transport and fatty acid utilization. Myocardial PPARγ-knockout mice display characteristics of cardiac hypertrophy and dilated cardiomyopathy along with increased NF-κB activity, decreased Akt phosphorylation, and decreased antioxidant gene expression.