Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2026.65.02.04

Sphingolipids in Health and Disease

Slavica Potočki ; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Nikolina Bašić Jukić ; Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Zrinka Šakić ; Vuk Vrhovac University Clinic for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Merkur University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Armin Atić ; Department of Nephrology, Arterial Hypertension, Dialysis and Transplantation, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Sphingolipids are a complex group of lipids that are becoming increasingly important
in many aspects of disease and cell physiology. They are composed of a
long-chain sphingoid base backbone, a long-chain fatty acid linked by an amide
bond, and one or more polar head groups the structures of which are characterized
by different sphingolipid subtypes such as ceramide, sphingomyelin,
and glycosphingolipids. The metabolism of these lipids plays an integral role
in scaling body functions. They take involvement in the membrane domains
and signaling, inflammation, cell proliferation, death, migration, and central
nervous system development. Due to their discovery as potent messenger and
signaling molecules, sphingolipids have lately attracted interest and are now
thought to be potential therapeutic targets for a number of diseases. Here, we
provide a thorough overview of sphingolipid metabolism and numerous biological
functions inside the cell. Additionally, we draw attention to the sphingolipid
involvement in a number of diseases, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis, and inflammatory
disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diseases related
to lysosomal storage.

Keywords

Sphingolipids; Sphingosine-1-phosphate; Ceramide; Glycosphingolipids; Diseases

Hrčak ID:

347689

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/347689

Publication date:

10.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 209 *