Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ activation reduces cyclooxygenase-2 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells from hypertensive rats by interfering with oxidative stress.

Aims:Hypertension is associated with increased plasma inflammatory markers such as cytokines and increased vascular cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The ability of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonists to reduce oxidative stress seems to contribute to their anti-inflammat