Abstract

Recent advances in basic science PPAR c AS A NEW THERAPEUTIC TARGET IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES L Dubuquoy, C Rousseaux, X Thuru, L Peyrin-Biroulet, O Romano, P Chavatte, M Chamaillard, P Desreumaux Gut 2006; 55:1341–1349. doi: 10.1136/gut.2006.093484 SUMMARY The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor c (PPARc) is a nuclear receptor highly expressed in the colon and playing a key role in bacterial induced inflammation. Regulation of colon inflammation by this receptor has been well demonstrated in many experimental models of colitis but also in patients with ulcerative colitis, characterised by impaired expression of PPARc confined to their colon epithelial cells. Recent data showing that PPARc was the major functional receptor mediating the common aminosalicylate activities in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have also reinforced the roles of this receptor in the control of intestinal inflammation. The aims of this review are to discuss the potential roles of PPARc in the physiopathology of IBD, as well as the emerging therapeutic strategies targeting this receptor. INTRODUCTION Current evidence suggests that Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) result from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors, leading to an abnormal innate and adaptive immune response of the gut directed against luminal constituents