Blood ceramides as novel markers for renal impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus

Sphingolipids and Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Organ Damage in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…The results showed that C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, and C24:1 ceramides were significantly elevated in the serum of lupus nephritis patients when compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively), and to SLE patients without renal impairment (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). Since circulating ceramides are carried on lipoproteins, plasma C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, and C24:1 ceramides were, as expected, also significantly elevated in lupus nephritis patients when compared to the healthy controls as well as SLE patients without renal impairment (53). Plasma dihydroceramide C24:1 was also elevated (p < 0.05) in lupus nephritis patients in comparison to SLE patients, suggesting that C24:1 dihydroceramide, and C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, and C24:1 ceramides could be useful in differentiating SLE patients with renal damage from those without (53).…”

“…Since circulating ceramides are carried on lipoproteins, plasma C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, and C24:1 ceramides were, as expected, also significantly elevated in lupus nephritis patients when compared to the healthy controls as well as SLE patients without renal impairment (53). Plasma dihydroceramide C24:1 was also elevated (p < 0.05) in lupus nephritis patients in comparison to SLE patients, suggesting that C24:1 dihydroceramide, and C16:0, C18:0, C20:0, and C24:1 ceramides could be useful in differentiating SLE patients with renal damage from those without (53). Sphingosine levels were significantly increased in the serum and plasma of lupus nephritis patients (p < 0.01, p < 0.001, respectively) when compared to healthy controls.…”

“…In plasma, S1P and sphinganine 1-phosphate [dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate (dhS1P)] were found to be elevated in all SLE patients, with or without lupus nephritis, in comparison to healthy controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). Ceramide C24:1 showed the most potential of being used as a biomarker of lupus nephritis as it remained strongly elevated in lupus nephritis patients (p = 0.0001), even when compared to SLE patients without kidney disease (53). These data show the potential value of assessing sphingolipid changes in lupus nephritis and supports the use of sphingolipidomics as a tool to pinpoint a biomarker(s) for early identification of lupus nephritis in SLE patients.…”

“…In a cross-sectional study, 82 patients were divided into three groups: healthy controls, SLE without renal injury and SLE with renal injury (lupus nephritis) based on their eGFR, and kidney biopsy results (53). Lupus nephritis patients were further stratified by severity of renal impairment.…”

“…Patyna et al (53) found that in serum, sphinganine (dihydrosphingosine) was significantly elevated in lupus nephritis patients when compared to SLE and healthy controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively). In plasma, S1P and sphinganine 1-phosphate [dihydrosphingosine 1-phosphate (dhS1P)] were found to be elevated in all SLE patients, with or without lupus nephritis, in comparison to healthy controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively).…”