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Diabetologia
Published in: Diabetologia 4/2016

01-04-2016 | Article

Muscle sphingolipids during rest and exercise: a C18:0 signature for insulin resistance in humans

Authors: Bryan C. Bergman, Joseph T. Brozinick, Allison Strauss, Samantha Bacon, Anna Kerege, Hai Hoang Bui, Phil Sanders, Parker Siddall, Tao Wei, Melissa K. Thomas, Ming Shang Kuo, Leigh Perreault

Published in: Diabetologia | Issue 4/2016

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Abstract

Aims/hypotheses

Ceramides and other sphingolipids comprise a family of lipid molecules that accumulate in skeletal muscle and promote insulin resistance. Chronic endurance exercise training decreases muscle ceramides and other sphingolipids, but less is known about the effects of a single bout of exercise.

Methods

We measured basal relationships and the effect of acute exercise (1.5 h at 50% \( \overset{.}{V}{\mathrm{O}}_{2 \max } \)) and recovery on muscle sphingolipid content in obese volunteers, endurance trained athletes and individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Results

Muscle C18:0 ceramide (p = 0.029), dihydroceramide (p = 0.06) and glucosylceramide (p = 0.03) species were inversely related to insulin sensitivity without differences in total ceramide, dihydroceramide, and glucosylceramide concentration. Muscle C18:0 dihydroceramide correlated with markers of muscle inflammation (p = 0.04). Transcription of genes encoding sphingolipid synthesis enzymes was higher in athletes, suggesting an increased capacity for sphingolipid synthesis. The total concentration of muscle ceramides and sphingolipids increased during exercise and then decreased after recovery, during which time ceramide levels reduced to significantly below basal levels.

Conclusions/interpretation

These data suggest ceramide and other sphingolipids containing stearate (18:0) are uniquely related to insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Recovery from an exercise bout decreased muscle ceramide concentration; this may represent a mechanism promoting the insulin-sensitising effects of acute exercise.
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Metadata
Title
Muscle sphingolipids during rest and exercise: a C18:0 signature for insulin resistance in humans
Authors
Bryan C. Bergman
Joseph T. Brozinick
Allison Strauss
Samantha Bacon
Anna Kerege
Hai Hoang Bui
Phil Sanders
Parker Siddall
Tao Wei
Melissa K. Thomas
Ming Shang Kuo
Leigh Perreault
Publication date
01-04-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Diabetologia / Issue 4/2016
Print ISSN: 0012-186X
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0428
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-015-3850-y

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