Liver cells produce ceramides, fatty lipid molecules that can cause insulin resistance. Sulforaphane has been shown to block an enzyme involved in the synthesis of ceramides. By inhibiting this gene, sulforaphane can decrease ceramide levels and improve insulin sensitivity by decreasing insulin resistance.Jul 7, 2021

How do you dissolve a ceramide?

Dissolve fatty acid-free BSA in water to 66mg/ml (1mM). Dilute the ceramide/DMSO stock 200-fold into the BSA solution, with constant stirring. A precipitate will form at first, but will dissolve after ~30 minutes of stirring at room temperature.

What causes high ceramide levels?

The accumulation of ceramides can increase in tissues due to excessive supply of either saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, most likely as a result of sphingolipid recycling or the salvage pathway activity.

How can plasma ceramides be reduced?

However, several reports have found that ceramide concentrations are significantly decreased by caloric restriction, gastric bypass, aerobic exercise and statin therapy. A significant decrease in plasma ceramides was observed among subjects taking simvastatin (alone or in combination with ezetimibe) and rosuvastatin.

What are toxic ceramides?

Ceramides are a family of waxy lipids that have even been called “toxic fat,” as they were in the press release for Summers's latest study in the journal Cell Metabolism.

Are ceramides bad for diabetics?

"Our work shows that ceramides have an influential role in metabolic health," says Summers. "We're thinking of ceramides as the next cholesterol." This isn't the first time that Summers' group has found that lowering ceramides could reverse signs of diabetes and metabolic disease.

What is diabetic ceramide?

Ceramides are critical components of detergent-resistant lipid rafts in the plasma membrane, which have numerous functions, such as a role as signaling hubs that concentrate receptors with downstream effectors. The primary purpose of the ceramide biosynthesis pathway may be to protect the cell in times of FFA excess.

Can ceramides cause heart attacks?

People with High Ceramide Levels up to Four Times More Likely to Have Heart Attacks, Stroke. Scott Summers and Mary C. Playdon are studying the effects of ceramide lipids on heart disease and stroke risk.