Fig. 1

Effects of PPARγ activation on adipocyte and osteoblasts differentiation. A simplified schematic diagram that shows the effects of PPARγ on mesenchymal stem cell differentiation. PPARγ activation, in conjunction with C/EBPs, is able to cause differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells down the adipogenesis pathway and thereby inhibiting differentiation of osteoblasts. PPARγ activation results in a positive feedback loop that increases adipogenesis. As a result, more adipose tissue is accumulated at the expense of osteoblastogenesis and matrix deposition. This switch inhibits bone mineral density and bone functional loading capacity and therefore leads to an overall increased risk of fracture in the childhood population