QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: jpet.106.104950v1 319/1/105    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Margalit, M. Articles by Ilan, Y. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Margalit, M. Articles by Ilan, Y.

INFLAMMATION, IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY, AND ASTHMA

Glucocerebroside Ameliorates the Metabolic Syndrome in OB/OB Mice

Liver Unit Department of Medicine (M.M., Z.S., R.A., Y.I.), Department of Pathology (O.P.), Department of Radiology (M.S.-L., M.G.), Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel; and ENZO Biochem, New York (D.E., E.R.)

Glucocerebroside (GC) is a naturally occurring glycolipid that may alter natural killer T (NKT) cell function. To determine the effect of GC on the metabolic derangements and immune profile in leptin-deficient mice, Ob/Ob mice were treated by daily injections of GC for 8 weeks and followed for various metabolic and immunological parameters. Marked amelioration of the metabolic alterations characteristic of leptin-deficient mice was observed in GC-treated animals compared with controls. A significant decrease in liver size and hepatic fat content were observed in GC-treated mice. Near-normalization of glucose tolerance and decreased serum triglyceride levels were observed. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of peripheral and intrahepatic lymphocytes revealed a 1.6-fold increase of the peripheral/intrahepatic NKT lymphocyte ratio. A 33% decrease of serum interferon- level and a 2.6-fold increase of serum interleukin 10 level were noted in GC-treated mice. Immune modulation by GC may have a role in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and other immune-mediated disorders.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Yaron Ilan, M.D., Liver Unit, Department of Medicine, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, P.O.B 12000, Jerusalem, Israel IL-91120. E-mail: ilan{at}hadassah.org.il

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Lalazar, A. B. Ya'acov, D. M. Livovsky, M. El Haj, O. Pappo, S. Preston, L. Zolotarov, and Y. Ilan {beta}-Glycoglycosphingolipid-Induced Alterations of the STAT Signaling Pathways Are Dependent on CD1d and the Lipid Raft Protein Flotillin-2 Am. J. Pathol., April 1, 2009; 174(4): 1390 - 1399. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Zigmond, S. W. Zangen, O. Pappo, M. Sklair-Levy, G. Lalazar, L. Zolotaryova, I. Raz, and Y. Ilan {beta}-Glycosphingolipids improve glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis of the Cohen diabetic rat Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, January 1, 2009; 296(1): E72 - E78. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Lalazar, A. Ben Ya'acov, N. Eliakim-Raz, D. M. Livovsky, O. Pappo, S. Preston, L. Zolotarov, and Y. Ilan {beta}-Glycosphingolipids-mediated lipid raft alteration is associated with redistribution of NKT cells and increased intrahepatic CD8+ T lymphocyte trapping J. Lipid Res., September 1, 2008; 49(9): 1884 - 1893. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]