Oral Glucosylceramide Reduces 2,4‐Dinitrofluorobenzene Induced Inflammatory Response in Mice by Reducing TNF‐Alpha Levels and Leukocyte Infiltration

Abstract

Sphingolipids are constituents of cellular membranes and play important roles as second messengers mediating cell functions. As significant components in foods, sphingolipids have been proven to be critical for human health. Moreover, diverse metabolic intermediates of sphingolipids are known to play key roles both in proinflammatory and in anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of dietary sphingolipids on inflammation is a complicated field that needs to be further assessed. Our study evaluated the effects of orally administered maize glucosylceramide (GluCer), one of the most conventional dietary sphingolipids, on inflammation using the 2,4-dinitro-1-fluorobenzene-treated BALB/c murine model. Oral administration of GluCer inhibited ear swelling and leukocyte infiltration to the inflammatory site, suggesting that dietary GluCer has anti-inflammatory properties. ELISA analyses revealed that oral administration of GluCer for 6 days had not modified the Th1/Th2 balance, but significantly down-regulated the activation of TNF-α at the inflammatory site. Based on these results, the down-regulation of TNF-α by dietary GluCer may suppress vascular permeability and reduce the migration of inflammatory cells. Our findings increase understanding of the actions of dietary sphingolipids on the balance of the immune response.

Effect of dietary glucosylceramide from sea cucumber on plasma and liver lipids in cholesterol-fed mice

“…The nutritional significance and the food functional importance of sphingolipids were disregarded for decades. It has, however, been reported that dietary supplementation with sphingolipids has diverse physiological effects, such as improving skin barrier function [3,4], protecting the colon against cancer [5,6], and inhibiting inflammation [7,8]. Sphingolipids are found in egg, milk, meat, fish, soybean, and so on [9].…”

Selective Absorption of Dietary Sphingoid Bases from the Intestine via Efflux by P-Glycoprotein in Rats

“…In higher plants, the structures of sphingoid bases are more complicated than in mammals because they can be desaturated at the C8-position by D8-sphingolipid desaturase, yielding cis-and trans-isomers of D8-unsaturated sphingoid bases (d18:2 4t,8c (t) ). Dietary sphingolipids from various sources have been reported to have beneficial effects such as preventing cancer (1)(2)(3), reducing inflammatory responses (4), and lowering levels of plasma lipids (5,6). Dietary plant sphingolipids with sphingoid bases distinct from those found in mammals are able to prevent the formation of aberrant crypt foci in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-treated mice (7,8).…”

Isolation and Anti-Fatty Liver Activity of a Novel Cerebroside from the Sea CucumberAcaudina molpadioides

“…5) Cerebrosides from sea cucumber are composed of three different structural units: a polar head group (monosaccarides, such as glucose or galactose), an amide-linked fatty acid, and a long-chain base (LCB) which is also called a sphingoid base. Recent studies have indicated that the cerebrosides have antitumor, 6,7) immunomodulatory, [8][9][10] antibacterial, 11) and cytotoxic 12) activities. Due to their moderate bioactivities and smaller side-effects, cerebrosides have been developed to prevent and cure chronic diseases.…”