Sphingolipids and Atherosclerosis: The Dual Role of Ceramide and Sphingosine-1-Phosphate

Interaction between lipid metabolism and macrophage polarization in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with lipid deposition. The interaction between abnormal lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response has been identified as the underlying cause of AS. Lipid metabolism disorders are considered the basis of atherosclerotic lesion formation and macrophages are involved in the entire process of AS formation. Macrophages have a high degree of plasticity, and the change of their polarization direction can determine the progress or regression of AS. The disturbances in bioactive lipid metabolism affect the polarization of different phenotypes of macrophages, thus, affecting lipid metabolism and the expression of key signal factors. Therefore, understanding the interaction between lipid metabolism and macrophages as well as their key targets is important for preventing and treating AS and developing new drugs. Recent studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicines play a positive role in the prevention and treatment of AS, providing a basis for clinical individualized treatment.

Advancing atherosclerosis research: The Power of lipid imaging with MALDI-MSI

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is one of the leading causes of mortality globally. It is characterized by the formation of atheromatous plaques in the intima layer of larger arteries. The (fibro-)fatty plaques usually develop asymptomatically within the vessel until a serious event such as myocardial infarction or stroke occurs. Lipids play a pivotal role in disease progression, but while the causal role of cholesterol is beyond doubt, the distribution of numerous other lipids within the heterogeneous layers of atherosclerotic plaques, and their biological function remain unclear. A deeper understanding of the pathophysiological progression of the disease for prognostics, diagnostics, treatment, and prevention is of great need. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), in particular with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) offers an unprecedented untargeted characterization of the physiological microenvironment, unraveling the spatial distribution of numerous biochemical compounds. MALDI-MSI offers an advantageous balance of sample preparation, chemical sensitivity, and spatial resolution, and thus has been established as a key technology in modern biomedical analysis. This review focuses on the analysis of lipids in atherosclerotic lesions with MALDI-MSI, for which the past years showed major developments in the spatial characterization of lipids and their interaction within atherosclerotic plaques. We will cover main contributions with a focus on the recent decade, elaborate possibilities, limitations, main findings, and recent developments from sample handling to instrumentation, and estimate current challenges and potentials of MALDI-MSI with respect to a clinical application.

Plasma Lipidomics, Gut Microbiota Profile, and Phenotype of Adipose Tissue in an ApoE-/- Mouse Model of Plaque Instability

BACKGROUND

An appropriate animal model that can simulate the pathological process of atherosclerosis is urgently needed to improve treatment strategies. This study aimed to develop a new atherosclerosis model using ApoE-/- mice and to characterize lipidomics, gut microbiota profiles, and phenotypic alterations in adipose tissue using this model.

METHODS

After a 14- or 18-week high-fat diet (HFD), male ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated separately with or without short-term and strong co-stimulation, including ice water bath and intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide and phenylephrine. As a control group, C57BL/6 mice were fed with conventional chow. The serum lipid levels, aortic arch pathology, adipose tissue phenotypic changes, plasma lipidomics, and 16S rDNA gene sequencing of colon feces were investigated.

RESULTS

The serum lipid levels were significantly lowered following extended HFD feeding for four weeks. However, co-stimulation increased serum interleukin (IL)-1β levels but did not affect serum lipid profiles. Co-stimulation revealed typical vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque characteristics and defective adipose hypertrophy associated with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) regulation in adipose tissue and a reduction in mitochondrial uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) within brown adipose tissue. Plasma lipidomic analysis showed that sphingomyelin (SM), ceramide (Cer), and monohexosylceramide (HexCer) levels in plasma were significantly elevated by HFD feeding, whereas co-stimulation further elevated HexCer levels. Additionally, glycerophosphocholines (16:0/16:0, 18:2/20:4, 18:1/18:1) and HexCer (C12:1, C16:0), Cer (d18:1/16:0), and SM (C16:0) were the most sensitive to co-stimulation. Combined co-stimulation and HFD-fed increased the abundance of Firmicutes, the abundance of f_Erysipelotrichaceae, and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio but decreased the abundance of microflora promoting bile acid metabolism and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in mouse feces. The results were consistent with the findings of epidemiologic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease studies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study established an ApoE-/- mouse atherosclerotic vulnerable plaque model using a multi-index evaluation method. Adipogenic disorders, dysregulation of lipid metabolism at the molecular level, and increasing harmful gut microbiota are significant risk factors for vulnerable plaques, with sphingolipid metabolism receiving the most attention.

Metabolomics insights into the protective molecular mechanism of Vaccinium myrtillus against oxidative stress in intestinal cells

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) is a rich source of secondary metabolites known for their potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. These compounds are essential in neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are implicated in oxidative stress-related diseases. In this study, we induced oxidative stress in IEC-6 small intestine cells using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), creating a cellular model to investigate the biochemical response. The obtained results showed that a blueberry extract (BLUBE) significantly exhibited strong antioxidant capacity, as evidenced by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS in vitro tests. Additionally, BLUBE effectively inhibited the release of reactive species in cells and enhanced cytoprotective response, as indicated by improved wound healing and clonogenic potential reduction of stress fibers rearrangement and apoptosis. Metabolomic analysis, specifically High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS), was employed to elucidate the metabolic alterations associated with the protective activity of BLUBE against oxidative stress in IEC-6 cells. Chemometric approaches were applied to preprocess the data, explore variability, and identify systematic biases, ensuring the removal of batch effects and other experimental artifacts. A Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis classification model confirmed clear group stratifications with high accuracy (98.75 ± 2.31%), sensitivity, and specificity, aiding in the identification of significant metabolites for pathway enrichment analysis. Key metabolic pathways, including sphingolipid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and cysteine and methionine metabolism, were significantly modulated, supporting the biochemical basis of BLUBE's protective effects. In fact, BLUBE was able to partially reverse the downregulation of these pathways, effectively reducing oxidative stress and promoting cell survival. This study highlights the power of HR-MS-based metabolomics in uncovering the mechanisms of nutraceuticals and emphasizes the potential of BLUBE as a protective agent for oxidative stress-related diseases. It also underscores the growing significance of metabolomics in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Sphingolipid metabolites involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: perspectives on sphingolipids in atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, with its complex pathogenesis, is a leading underlying cause of many cardiovascular diseases, which are increasingly prevalent in the population. Sphingolipids play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Key metabolites and enzymes in sphingolipid metabolism influence the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in a variety of ways, including inflammatory responses and oxidative stress. Thus, an investigation of sphingolipid metabolism-related metabolites and key enzymes may provide novel insights and treatment targets for atherosclerosis. This review discusses various mechanisms and research progress on the relationship between various sphingolipid metabolites, related enzymes, and atherosclerosis. Finally, we look into the future research direction of phytosphingolipids.

Spatial lipidomic profiles of atherosclerotic plaques: A mass spectrometry imaging study

Lipids contribute to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease but their roles are not fully understood. Spatial lipid composition of atherosclerotic plaques was compared between species focusing on aortic plaques from New Zealand White rabbits and carotid plaques from humans (n = 3), using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging. Histologically discriminant lipids within plaque features (neointima and media in rabbits, and lipid-necrotic core and fibrous cap/tissue in humans) included sphingomyelins, phosphatidylcholines, and cholesteryl esters. There were 67 differential lipids between rabbit plaque features and 199 differential lipids in human, each with variable importance in projection score ≥1.0 and p < 0.05. The lipid profile of plaques in the rabbit model closely mimicked that of human plaques and two key pathways (impact value ≥ 0.1), sphingolipid and glycerophospholipid metabolism, were disrupted by atherosclerosis in both species. Thus, mass spectrometry imaging of spatial biomarkers offers valuable insights into atherosclerosis.

Glycosphingolipids in Cardiovascular Disease: Insights from Molecular Mechanisms and Heart Failure Models

This review explores the crucial role of glycosphingolipids (GSLs) in the context of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), focusing on their biosynthesis, metabolic pathways, and implications for clinical outcomes. GSLs are pivotal in regulating a myriad of cellular functions that are essential for heart health and disease progression. Highlighting findings from both human cohorts and animal models, this review emphasizes the potential of GSLs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We advocate for more detailed mechanistic studies to deepen our understanding of GSL functions in cardiovascular health, which could lead to innovative strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and personalized medicine in cardiovascular care.

Emerging Roles for Sphingolipids in Cardiometabolic Disease: A Rational Therapeutic Target?

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. New research elucidates increasingly complex relationships between cardiac and metabolic health, giving rise to new possible therapeutic targets. Sphingolipids are a heterogeneous class of bioactive lipids with critical roles in normal human physiology. They have also been shown to play both protective and deleterious roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Ceramides are implicated in dysregulating insulin signalling, vascular endothelial function, inflammation, oxidative stress, and lipoprotein aggregation, thereby promoting atherosclerosis and vascular disease. Ceramides also advance myocardial disease by enhancing pathological cardiac remodelling and cardiomyocyte death. Glucosylceramides similarly contribute to insulin resistance and vascular inflammation, thus playing a role in atherogenesis and cardiometabolic dysfunction. Sphingosing-1-phosphate, on the other hand, may ameliorate some of the pathological functions of ceramide by protecting endothelial barrier integrity and promoting cell survival. Sphingosine-1-phosphate is, however, implicated in the development of cardiac fibrosis. This review will explore the roles of sphingolipids in vascular, cardiac, and metabolic pathologies and will evaluate the therapeutic potential in targeting sphingolipids with the aim of prevention and reversal of cardiovascular disease in order to improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Ceramides-Emerging Biomarkers of Lipotoxicity in Obesity, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Inflammation

Abnormalities in lipid homeostasis have been associated with many human diseases, and the interrelation between lipotoxicity and cellular dysfunction has received significant attention in the past two decades. Ceramides (Cers) are bioactive lipid molecules that serve as precursors of all complex sphingolipids. Besides their function as structural components in cell and mitochondrial membranes, Cers play a significant role as key mediators in cell metabolism and are involved in numerous cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and induction of apoptosis. The accumulation of various ceramides in tissues causes metabolic and cellular disturbances. Recent studies suggest that Cer lipotoxicity has an important role in obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In humans, elevated plasma ceramide levels are associated with insulin resistance and impaired cardiovascular and metabolic health. In this review, we summarize the role of ceramides as key mediators of lipotoxicity in obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation and their potential as a promising diagnostic tool.

Plasma Sphingomyelins and Carnitine Esters of Infants Consuming Whole Goat or Cow Milk-Based Infant Formulas or Human Milk

BACKGROUND

Infant formulas are typically manufactured using skimmed milk, whey proteins, and vegetable oils, which excludes milk fat globule membranes (MFGM). MFGM contains polar lipids, including sphingomyelin (SM).

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was comparison of infant plasma SM and acylcarnitine species between infants who are breastfed or receiving infant formulas with different fat sources.

METHODS

In this explorative study, we focused on SM and acylcarnitine species concentrations measured in plasma samples from the TIGGA study (ACTRN12608000047392), where infants were randomly assigned to receive either a cow milk-based infant formula (CIF) with vegetable oils only or a goat milk-based infant formula (GIF) with a goat milk fat (including MFGM) and vegetable oil mixture to the age ≥4 mo. Breastfed infants were followed as a reference group. Using tandem mass spectrometry, SM species in the study formulas and SM and acylcarnitine species in plasma samples collected at the age of 4 mo were analyzed.

RESULTS

Total SM concentrations (∼42 μmol/L) and patterns of SM species were similar in both formulas. The total plasma SM concentrations were not different between the formula groups but were 15 % (CIF) and 21% (GIF) lower in the formula groups than in the breastfed group. Between the formula groups, differences in SM species were statistically significant but small. Total carnitine and major (acyl) carnitine species were not different between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The higher total SM concentration in breastfed than in formula-fed infants might be related to a higher SM content in human milk, differences in cholesterol metabolism, dietary fatty acid intake, or other factors not yet identified. SM and acylcarnitine species composition in plasma is not closely related to the formula fatty acid composition. This trial was registered at Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12608000047392.

Metabolomics and lipidomics combined with serum pharmacochemistry uncover the potential mechanism of Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction alleviates atherosclerosis in ApoE-/- mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the main cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) leading to an increase in global mortality, and its key pathological features are lipid accumulation and oxidative stress. Huang-Lian-Jie-Du decoction (HLJDD), a representative formula for clearing heat and detoxifying, has been shown to reduce aortic lipid plaque and improve AS. However, multiple components and multiple targets of HLJDD pose a challenge in comprehending its comprehensive mechanism in the treatment of AS.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was designed to illustrate the anti-AS mechanisms of HLJDD in an apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mouse model from a metabolic perspective.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ApoE-/- mice were kept on a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce AS. Serum total cholesterol (TC), total triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were determined to evaluate the influence of HLJDD on dyslipidemia. Oil red O was used to stain mouse aortic lipid plaques, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the pathological changes in the aortic roots. Metabolomics and lipidomics combined with serum pharmacochemistry were performed to research the HLJDD mechanism of alleviating AS.

RESULTS

In this study, HLJDD treatment improved serum biochemical levels and histopathological conditions in AS mice. A total of 6 metabolic pathways (arginine biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and glycerolipid metabolism) related to 25 metabolic biomarkers and 41 lipid biomarkers were clarified, and 22 prototype components migrating to blood were identified after oral administration of HLJDD.

CONCLUSION

HLJDD improved AS induced by HFD in ApoE-/- mice. The effects of HLJDD were mainly attributed to regulating lipid metabolism by regulating the metabolic pathways of glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, arachidonic acid, linoleic acid, and glycerolipids and reducing the levels of oxidative stress by upregulating arginine biosynthesis.

Vitamin D and Ceramide Metabolomic Profile in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Sphingolipids (SLs) influence several cellular pathways, while vitamin D exerts many extraskeletal effects in addition to its traditional biological functions, including the modulation of calcium homeostasis and bone health. Moreover, Vitamin D and SLs affect the regulation of each others' metabolism; hence, this study aims to evaluate the relationship between the levels of 25(OH)D and ceramides in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In particular, the blood abundance of eight ceramides and 25(OH)D was evaluated in 134 AMI patients (aged 68.4 ± 12.0 years, 72% males). A significant inverse correlation between 25(OH)D and both Cer(d18:1/16:0) and Cer(d18:1/18:0) was found; indeed, patients with severe hypovitaminosis D (<10 ng/mL) showed the highest levels of the two investigated ceramides. Moreover, diabetic/dyslipidemic patients with suboptimal levels of 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) had higher levels of both the ceramides when compared with the rest of the population. On the other hand, 25(OH)D remained an independent determinant for Cer(d18:1/16:0) (STD Coeff -0.18, t-Value -2, p ≤ 0.05) and Cer(d18:1/18:0) (-0.2, -2.2, p < 0.05). In light of these findings, the crosstalk between sphingolipids and vitamin D may unravel additional mechanisms by which these molecules can influence CV risk in AMI.

Naringenin Inhibits Acid Sphingomyelinase-Mediated Membrane Raft Clustering to Reduce NADPH Oxidase Activation and Vascular Inflammation

Macrophage inflammation and oxidative stress promote atherosclerosis progression. Naringenin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with antiatherosclerotic properties. Here, we elucidated the effects of naringenin on monocyte/macrophage endothelial infiltration and vascular inflammation. We found naringenin inhibited oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α toward an M2 macrophage phenotype and inhibited oxLDL-induced TLR4 (Toll-like receptor 4) membrane translocation and downstream NF-κB transcriptional activity. Results from flow cytometric analysis showed that naringenin reduced monocyte/macrophage infiltration in the aorta of high-fat-diet-treated ApoE-deficient mice. The aortic cytokine levels were also inhibited in naringenin-treated mice. Further, we found that naringenin reduced lipid raft clustering and acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) membrane gathering and inhibited the TLR4 and NADPH oxidase subunit p47phox membrane recruitment, which reduced the inflammatory response. Recombinant ASMase treatment or overexpression of ASMase abolished the naringenin function and activated macrophage and vascular inflammation. We conclude that naringenin inhibits ASMase-mediated lipid raft redox signaling to attenuate macrophage activation and vascular inflammation.

Ceramides: a potential cardiovascular biomarker in young adult childhood cancer survivors?

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate circulating ceramides involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in young adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and their correlations to previously reported adverse cardiovascular changes in this cohort.

Methods and results

Fifty-seven CCS and 53 healthy controls (age 20-30 years) were studied. Plasma long-chain ceramides, known to be cardiotoxic (C16:0, C18:0, C24:0, and C24:1), were analysed by mass spectrometry. The coronary event risk test 2 (CERT2) score was calculated from the ceramide data. Cardiac and carotid artery ultrasound data and lipid data available from previous studies of this cohort were used to study partial correlations with ceramide and CERT2 score data. All four analysed ceramides were elevated in CCS compared with controls (P ≤ 0.012). The greatest difference was noted for C18:0, which was 33% higher in CCS compared with controls adjusted for sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001). The CERT2 score was higher in CCS compared with controls (P < 0.001). In the CCS group, 35% had a high to very high CERT2 score (7-12) when compared with 9% in the control group (P < 0.001). The CCS subgroup with a CERT2 score ≥ 7 had higher heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and higher levels of apolipoprotein B compared with CCS with a CERT2 score < 6 (P ≤ 0.011). When adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, CERT2 score was significantly correlated with arterial stiffness, growth hormone, and cranial radiotherapy (P < 0.044).

Conclusion

Ceramides could be important biomarkers in understanding the pathophysiology of CVD and in predicting CVD disease risk in young adult CCS.

Identification of a Novel Acid Sphingomyelinase Activity Associated with Recombinant Human Acid Ceramidase

Acid ceramidase (AC) is a lysosomal enzyme required to hydrolyze ceramide to sphingosine by the removal of the fatty acid moiety. An inherited deficiency in this activity results in two disorders, Farber Lipogranulomatosis and spinal muscular atrophy with myoclonic epilepsy, leading to the accumulation of ceramides and other sphingolipids in various cells and tissues. In addition to ceramide hydrolysis, several other activities have been attributed to AC, including a reverse reaction that synthesizes ceramide from free fatty acids and sphingosine, and a deacylase activity that removes fatty acids from complex lipids such as sphingomyelin and glycosphingolipids. A close association of AC with another important enzyme of sphingolipid metabolism, acid sphingomyelinase (ASM), has also been observed. Herein, we used a highly purified recombinant human AC (rhAC) and novel UPLC-based assay methods to investigate the recently described deacylase activity of rhAC against three sphingolipid substrates, sphingomyelin, galactosyl- and glucosylceramide. No deacylase activities were detected using this method, although we did unexpectedly identify a significant ASM activity using natural (C-18) and artificial (Bodipy-C12) sphingomyelin substrates as well as the ASM-specific fluorogenic substrate, hexadecanoylamino-4-methylumbelliferyl phosphorylcholine (HMU-PC). We showed that this ASM activity was not due to contaminating, hamster-derived ASM in the rhAC preparation, and that the treatment of ASM-knockout mice with rhAC significantly reduced sphingomyelin storage in the liver. However, unlike the treatment with rhASM, this did not lead to elevated ceramide or sphingosine levels.

Using extracellular matrix derived from sugen-chronic hypoxia lung tissue to study pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension has characteristic changes to the mechanical environment, extracellular matrix, and cellular proliferation. In order to develop a culture system to investigate extracellular matrix (ECM) compositional-dependent changes in pulmonary arterial hypertension, we decellularized and characterized protein and lipid profiles from healthy and Sugen-Chronic Hypoxia rat lungs. Significant changes in lipid profiles were observed in intact Sugen-Hypoxia lungs compared with healthy controls. Decellularized lung matrix retained lipids in measurable quantities in both healthy and Sugen-Chronic Hypoxia samples. Proteomics revealed significantly changed proteins associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension in the decellularized Sugen-Chronic Hypoxia lung ECM. We then investigated the potential role of healthy vs. Sugen-Chronic Hypoxia ECM with controlled substrate stiffness to determine if the ECM composition regulated endothelial cell morphology and phenotype. CD117+ rat lung endothelial cell clones were plated on the variable stiffness gels and cellular proliferation, morphology, and gene expression were quantified. Sugen-Chronic Hypoxia ECM on healthy stiffness gels produced significant changes in cellular gene expression levels of Bmp2, Col1α1, Col3α1 and Fn1. The signaling and cell morphology observed at low substrate stiffness suggests early changes to the ECM composition can initiate processes associated with disease progression. These data suggest that Sugen-Chronic Hypoxia ECM can be used to investigate cell-ECM interactions relevant to pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Circulating Sphingolipids and Glucose Homeostasis: An Update

Sphingolipids are a family of lipid molecules produced through different pathways in mammals. Sphingolipids are structural components of membranes, but in response to obesity, they are implicated in the regulation of various cellular processes, including inflammation, apoptosis, cell proliferation, autophagy, and insulin resistance which favors dysregulation of glucose metabolism. Of all sphingolipids, two species, ceramides and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), are also found abundantly secreted into the bloodstream and associated with lipoproteins or extracellular vesicles. Plasma concentrations of these sphingolipids can be altered upon metabolic disorders and could serve as predictive biomarkers of these diseases. Recent important advances suggest that circulating sphingolipids not only serve as biomarkers but could also serve as mediators in the dysregulation of glucose homeostasis. In this review, advances of molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of ceramides and S1P association to lipoproteins or extracellular vesicles and how they could alter glucose metabolism are discussed.

A Sphingolipidomic Profiling Approach for Comparing X-ray-Exposed and Unexposed HepG2 Cells

An analytical method based on tandem mass spectrometry-shotgun is presently proposed to obtain sphingolipidomic profiles useful for the characterization of lipid extract from X-ray-exposed and unexposed hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2). To obtain a targeted lipidic profile from a specific biological system, the best extraction method must be identified before instrumental analysis. Accordingly, four different classic lipid extraction protocols were compared in terms of efficiency, specificity, and reproducibility. The performance of each procedure was evaluated using the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic technique; subsequently, the quality of extracts was estimated using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The selected procedure based on chloroform/methanol/water was successfully used in mass spectrometry-based shotgun sphingolipidomics, allowing for evaluation of the response of cells to X-ray irradiation, the most common anticancer therapy. Using a relative quantitative approach, the changes in the sphingolipid profiles of irradiated cell extracts were demonstrated, confirming that lipidomic technologies are also useful tools for studying the key sphingolipid role in regulating cancer growth during radiotherapy.

Sphingolipid Levels and Signaling via Resveratrol and Antioxidant Actions in Cardiometabolic Risk and Disease

Resveratrol (RSV) is a phenolic compound with strong antioxidant activity, which is generally associated with the beneficial effects of wine on human health. All resveratrol-mediated benefits exerted on different systems and pathophysiological conditions are possible through resveratrol's interactions with different biological targets, along with its involvement in several key cellular pathways affecting cardiometabolic (CM) health. With regard to its role in oxidative stress, RSV exerts its antioxidant activity not only as a free radical scavenger but also by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and regulating redox genes, nitric oxide bioavailability and mitochondrial function. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that some RSV effects are mediated by changes in sphingolipids, a class of biolipids involved in a number of cellular functions (e.g., apoptosis, cell proliferation, oxidative stress and inflammation) that have attracted interest as emerging critical determinants of CM risk and disease. Accordingly, this review aimed to discuss the available data regarding the effects of RSV on sphingolipid metabolism and signaling in CM risk and disease, focusing on oxidative stress/inflammatory-related aspects, and the clinical implications of this relationship.