[Critical roles of PPARgamma in every aspect of the metabolic syndrome].

Obesity, defined by an excess fat storage in adipose tissues, is an integral component of the metabolic syndrome. Excess fat in adipose tissues is often accompanied by ectopic lipid deposition in non-adipose tissues such as liver, skeletal muscle and pancreas. The deleterious systemic effects of lipid accumulation in adipose and non-adipose (lipotoxicity) tissues have prompted us to propose the term, "adipotoxicity" to highlight the whole body impacts of adipocyte dysfunction on the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome. PPARgamma is a master regulator of adipocyte differentiation and function and thereby serves as a key target in delineating and combating the syndrome. Here, we overview the pathophysiological role of PPARgamma from the standpoint of adipocyte dysfunction with special reference to fatty liver disease and hypertension.