The present invention comprises 4-Oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides, the derivatives thereof and salts thereof as well as processes for their preparation and methods for their use as pharmaceutical compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to 4-oxy-N-[1,3,4]-thiadiazol-2-yl-benzene sulfonamides and to their physiologically acceptable salts and physiologically functional derivatives that exhibit peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPAR) PPARalpha, PPARdelta and PPARgamma agonist activity. The compounds themselves are defined by the structure of the formula I, wherein the various unnamed substituents are defined herein. The compounds are suitable for the treatment of disorders of fatty acid metabolism and glucose utilization disorders as well as of disorders in which insulin resistance is involved as well as demyelinating and other neurodegenerative disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system.