Retinoid X Receptor Heterodimers in the Metabolic Syndrome

The principal abnormalities of the metabolic syndrome are abdominal obesity, atherogenic dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance, inflammation, and prothrombotic states. This review focuses on the retinoid X receptor (RXR) and its partners in the metabolic syndrome. RXR and its partners are nuclear receptors that function as ligand-dependent transcription factors. The ligands are lipids, and the system functions as a cellular lipid sensor. Agonists and inhibitors of these receptors are promising treatments for this widespread syndrome.