The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined by a set of metabolic risk factors, including insulin resistance, central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Although both retrospective and prospective clinical studies have revealed that MetS is associated with chronic renal disease, even with a non-diabetic cause, the cellular and molecular mechanisms in this association remain largely uncharacterized. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), a subgroup of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors, may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MetS. All three members of the PPAR nuclear receptor subfamily -- PPAR, -/, and - -- are critical in regulating insulin sensitivity, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, inflammation and blood pressure. PPARs have also been implicated in many renal pathophysiologic conditions, including diabetic nephropathy and glomerulosclerosis. Ligands for PPARs such as hypolipidemic PPAR activators and antidiabetic thiazolidinedione (TZD) PPAR agonists affect not only diverse aspects of MetS but also renal disease progression. Emerging data suggests that PPARs may be potential therapeutic targets for MetS and its related renal complications. This review focuses on current knowledge of the role of PPARs in MetS and discusses the potential therapeutic utility of PPAR modulators in the treatment of kidney diseases associated with MetS.