A method of activating PPAR receptors in a subject, said method comprising administering to said subject an effective PPAR receptor activating amount of a pyrrolopyridine compound corresponding to formula (I): wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, X, Ar and n have defined meanings, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, particularly as part of the treatment of a disorder or disease state selected from the group consisting of atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, hypertension, and cerebral vascular disease.