Evidence mapPaperPMID 42072091Full record

ArticleAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Chiglitazar Activates PPAR-α/γ to Suppress Oxidative Stress and Angiogenesis in Corneal Neovascularization.

Tao Tao, Jiyuan Ye, Ruifeng Li, Yan Ke, Xiaoqin Zheng, Qinghe Zhang, Lan Zheng, Shuwen Wang, Zhen Zhang, Le Wang and 1 more

Abstract read
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Article in Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Tao TaoEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Jiyuan YeDepartment of Digestive Disease, Institute for Microbial Ecology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China.
Ruifeng LiEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Yan KeDepartment of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Xiaoqin ZhengDepartment of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China.
Qinghe ZhangEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Lan ZhengEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Shuwen WangDepartment of Digestive Disease, Institute for Microbial Ecology, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361004, China.
Zhen ZhangEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Le WangEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
Cheng LiEye Institute & Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.ORCID 0000-0002-0449-3709

Funding

Fujian Provincial Natural Science Foundation Projects 2022J05302National Natural Science Foundation of China 82471048, 82271045Shenzhen Science and Technology Program JCYJ20240813145510014Xiamen Municipal Health and Medical Guidance Projects 3502Z20224ZD1018
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeChiglitazar (Chi) is a pan-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist with reported anti-oxidative effects in metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigate its therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms in corneal neovascularization (CNV).

methodsScratch-wound and tube formation assays in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were performed to evaluate the effects of Chi under recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation. An oxidative stress model was established in human corneal epithelial cells (HCEs), and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified by flow cytometry. A corneal alkali burn mouse model of CNV was established. Chi was then administered and compared with vehicle, pioglitazone, or fenofibrate. Corneal epithelial healing and neovascularization were assessed. Public drug-disease-target resources were integrated with RNA-seq data and single-cell transcriptomes to prioritize Chi-associated targets and pathways, which were examined by immunofluorescence, RT-PCR, and Western blotting. Ocular safety was evaluated by comprehensive ophthalmic evaluation.

resultsChi significantly inhibited migration and tube formation in VEGF-induced HUVECs, and flow cytometry confirmed effective ROS reduction. In vivo, Chi markedly improved corneal conditions compared with the vehicle and showed efficacy comparable to or superior to selective PPAR-α/γ agonists, depending on the outcome measures. Bioinformatic analyses predicted PPAR-γ as the dominant isoform, with PPAR-α secondary and PPAR-δ appearing less prominent, collectively implicating oxidative stress and VEGF pathways. Immunofluorescence verified PPAR-γ activation, predominantly localized to the corneal epithelium. RT-PCR and Western blotting supported activation of antioxidant pathways and suppression of angiogenic signals, with Western blotting confirming PPAR-γ and PPAR-α activation, whereas PPAR-δ activation appeared less evident under the present conditions. Ocular examinations demonstrated a favorable safety profile.

conclusionsChi primarily activates PPAR-γ and PPAR-α, producing antioxidant and anti-angiogenic benefits, supporting its potential as a multi-target PPAR therapy for CNV.

Indexed as

chiglitazarcorneal neovascularizationmulti-omicsPPAR

Identifiers

PMID42072091
PMCPMC13113329

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.