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Review
. 2022 Apr;118(4):768-777.
doi: 10.36660/abc.20201165.

Plasma Ceramides in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Stratification

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Débora L M Junqueira  1   2 , Alline Stach  2 , Adriano Caixeta  1 , Juliana Sallum  1 , Erika Yasaki  1 , Jeane Tsutsui  3   4 , Edgar Rizatti  3 , Carlos E Rochitte  2   4 , Ching-Jianhong  5 , Jean-Paul Kovalik  5 , José E Krieger  4 , A Mark Richards  6 , Mark Y Chan  6 , Leonardo P de Carvalho  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Plasma Ceramides in Cardiovascular Disease Risk Stratification

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Débora L M Junqueira et al. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2022 Apr.

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Ceramide production takes place throughout the body and plays a key role in the maintenance of normal physiology. However, ceramide levels are altered during disease states, particularly considering the development of diabetes and dyslipidemia. Ceramide production is also associated with atherosclerotic plaque instability. Recent studies revealed that patients with unstable coronary artery disease (CAD) presented increased plasma ceramide levels (especially C16, C18, and C24:1). These molecules are currently considered emerging biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), being used for predicting atherosclerotic plaque instability and adverse cardiovascular events independently from traditional risk factors. With the aim of describing and discussing the role of ceramides in the stratification of cardiovascular diseases, this narrative review contextualizes the importance of this biomarker in the present cardiology scenario.

A produção de ceramida ocorre em todo o corpo e desempenha um papel importante na manutenção da fisiologia normal. No entanto, os níveis de ceramidas são alterados em estados de doença, principalmente durante o desenvolvimento de diabetes e dislipidemia. A produção de ceramidas também está associada à instabilidade das placas ateroscleróticas. Estudos recentes revelam que pacientes com doença arterial coronariana instável apresentam níveis plasmáticos aumentados de ceramidas (principalmente C16, C18 e C24:1). Atualmente, são consideradas biomarcadores emergentes nas doenças cardiovasculares, sendo utilizadas na predição de instabilidade da placa aterosclerótica e eventos cardiovasculares adversos de forma independente aos fatores de risco tradicionais. Com o objetivo de descrever e discutir o papel das ceramidas na estratificação das doenças cardiovasculares, o desenvolvimento desta revisão narrativa contextualiza a importância desse biomarcador no cenário atual da cardiologia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Potencial conflito de interesse

Não há conflito com o presente artigo

Figures

Figura 1
Figura 1. – Vias do metabolismo de esfingolipídios.
Figura 2
Figura 2. – Ceramidas plasmáticas e ruptura de placa. ECAM = eventos cardiovasculares adversos maiores. Fonte: coleção do autor.
Figura 3
Figura 3. – Ação das ceramidas em diferentes órgãos.
Figure 1
Figure 1. – Sphingolipid metabolic pathways.
Figure 2
Figure 2. – Plasma ceramides and plaque rupture. Source: author’s collection.
Figure 3
Figure 3. – Effect of ceramides on different organs.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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