Ceramide and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Liver Diseases

Overview

Journal Mol Cells

Publisher Elsevier

Specialties Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2020 May 13

PMID 32392908

Citations 17

Authors

Woo-Jae Park

Jae-Hwi Song

Goon-Tae Kim

Tae-Sik Park

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The liver is an important organ in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. It is responsible for systemic energy homeostasis. When energy need exceeds the storage capacity in the liver, fatty acids are shunted into nonoxidative sphingolipid biosynthesis, which increases the level of cellular ceramides. Accumulation of ceramides alters substrate utilization from glucose to lipids, activates triglyceride storage, and results in the development of both insulin resistance and hepatosteatosis, increasing the likelihood of major metabolic diseases. Another sphingolipid metabolite, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive signaling molecule that acts via S1P-specific G protein coupled receptors. It regulates many cellular and physiological events. Since an increase in plasma S1P is associated with obesity, it seems reasonable that recent studies have provided evidence that S1P is linked to lipid pathophysiology, including hepatosteatosis and fibrosis. Herein, we review recent findings on ceramides and S1P in obesity-mediated liver diseases and the therapeutic potential of these sphingolipid metabolites.

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