Ceramides in Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases: Existing Evidence and Therapeutic Considerations for Diet as an Anticeramide Treatment

Abstract

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) constitute a set of connective tissue disorders and dysfunctions with akin clinical manifestations and autoantibody responses. AIRD treatment is based on a comprehensive approach, with the primary aim being achieving and attaining disease remission, through the control of inflammation. AIRD therapies have a low target specificity, and this usually propels metabolic disturbances, dyslipidemias and increased cardiovascular risk. Ceramides are implicated in inflammation through several different pathways, many of which sometimes intersect. They serve as signaling molecules for apoptosis, altering immune response and driving endothelial dysfunction and as regulators in the production of other molecules, including sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P). With lipid metabolism being severely altered in AIRD pathology, several studies show that the concentration and variety of ceramides in human tissues is altered in patients with rheumatic diseases compared to controls. As a result, many in vitro and some in vivo (animal) studies research the potential use of ceramides as therapeutic targets in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, fibromyalgia syndrome, primary Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, myositis, systemic vasculitis and psoriatic arthritis. Furthermore, the majority of ceramide synthesis is diet-centric and, as a result, dietary interventions may alter ceramide concentrations in the blood and affect health. Subsequently, more recently several clinical trials evaluated the possibility of distinct dietary patterns and nutrients to act as anti-ceramide regimes in humans. With nutrition being an important component of AIRD-related complications, the present review details the evidence regarding ceramide levels in patients with AIRDs, the results of anti-ceramide treatments and discusses the possibility of using medical nutritional therapy as a complementary anti-ceramide treatment in rheumatic disease.

The Study of Yak Colostrum Nutritional Content Based on Foodomics

“…The content of CerG3GNAc1 belonging to glycolipids in yak colostrum was higher than the value in yak mature milk. Ceramides are involved in regulating cell differentiation and proliferation and building immune systems [ 43 ]. The content of ceramides in cow milk is very low [ 39 ], whereas the Hex1Cer was one of the main lipids in yak milk, and its content in yak colostrum was much higher than the value in mature milk.…”

Mediterranean Diet and Physical Activity Nudges versus Usual Care in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results from the MADEIRA Randomized Controlled Trial

“…A plethora of genetic and environmental factors have been implicated in the pathogenesis of RA, with diet quality playing a significant role in the development of the entity, its pathophysiology, the manifestation of symptoms, and the management of RA [ 7 , 8 , 9 ]. Various dietary patterns, including the Mediterranean diet (MD), and individual nutrients including certain types of fatty acids and vitamin D, have been investigated for their potential associations with the development and prognosis of RA [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Role of ceramides in diabetic foot ulcers (Review)

“…different chemical structures correspond to different biological functions (12). ceramides and their metabolites can decrease insulin sensitivity, blood vessel reactivity and pancreatic cell function, as well as maintaining the skin's barrier function, regulating hydration, exerting anti-aging effects and acting as future therapeutic targets for some diseases, such as insulin resistance, obesity, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune rheumatic disease, ventilator-induced lung injury and cancer (especially breast cancer) (9,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18).…”