Glycosphingolipids and insulin resistance

JM Aerts, RG Boot, M van Eijk, J Groener, N Bijl… - … and metabolic disease, 2011 - Springer
JM Aerts, RG Boot, M van Eijk, J Groener, N Bijl, E Lombardo, FM Bietrix, N Dekker…
Sphingolipids and metabolic disease, 2011Springer
Glycosphingolipids are structural membrane components, residing largely in the plasma
membrane with their sugar-moieties exposed at the cell's surface. In recent times a crucial
role for glycosphingolipids in insulin resistance has been proposed. A chronic state of
insulin resistance is a rapidly increasing disease condition in Western and developing
countries. It is considered to be the major underlying cause of the metabolic syndrome, a
combination of metabolic abnormalities that increases the risk for an individual to develop …
Abstract
Glycosphingolipids are structural membrane components, residing largely in the plasma membrane with their sugar-moieties exposed at the cell’s surface. In recent times a crucial role for glycosphingolipids in insulin resistance has been proposed. A chronic state of insulin resistance is a rapidly increasing disease condition in Western and developing countries. It is considered to be the major underlying cause of the metabolic syndrome, a combination of metabolic abnormalities that increases the risk for an individual to develop Type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. As discussed in this chapter, the evidence for a direct regulatory interaction of glycosphingolipids with insulin signaling is still largely indirect. However, the recent finding in animal models that pharmacological reduction of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis ameliorates insulin resistance and prevents some manifestations of metabolic syndrome, supports the view that somehow glycosphingolipids act as critical regulators, Importantly, since reductions in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis have been found to be well tolerated, such approaches may have a therapeutic potential.
Springer