C18 Ceramide (d18:1/18:0) (Synonyms: Cer(d18:1/18:0), Ceramide (d18:1/18:0), N-Stearoyl-D-Sphingosine)

C18 Ceramide is an endogenous bioactive sphingolipid. It is the primary short-chain ceramide found in brain tissue whose synthesis is regulated by longevity-assurance homologue 1 (Lass1) in mice.[1] Increased expression of C18 ceramide reduces cell growth in UM-SCC-22A squamous cell carcinoma cells.[2] It is selectively downregulated in 32 human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma tumor tissues as compared to non-squamous tumor tissues. C18 Ceramide concentration is significantly higher in muscle tissue of type 2 diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic patients and is positively correlated to body mass index and inversely related to insulin sensitivity.[3]

Reference:
[1]. Mizutani, Y., Kihara, A., and Igarashi, Y. Mammalian Lass6 and its related family members regulate synthesis of specific ceramides. Biochem J. 390(Pt. 1), 263-271 (2005).
[2]. Koybasi, S., Senkal, C.E., Sundararaj, K., et al. Defects in cell growth regulation by C18:0-ceramide and longevity assurance gene 1 in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. J. Biol. Chem. 279(43), 44311-44319 (2004).
[3]. Bergman, B.C., Brozinick, J.T., Strauss, A., et al. Muscle sphingolipids during rest and exercise: A C18:0 signature for insulin resistance in humans. Diabetologia 59(3), 785-791 (2016).