Ce9.0

Ceramides Research

59 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 9/10

The metabolic profile of waist to hip ratio-A multi-cohort study

Lind L et al. • PloS one (2023)

Two sphingomyelins were inversely linked to body fat distribution in both men and women without being associated with fat mass, while very-large and large HDL particles were inversely associated with both fat distribution and fat mass.

Of the 193 LC-MS-metabolites being associated with WHRadjfatmass in EpiHealth (false discovery rate (FDR) <5%), 52 were replicated in a meta-analysis of PIVUS and POEM.
Two sphingomyelins were inversely linked to body fat distribution in both men and women without being associated with fat mass, while very-large and large HDL particles were inversely associated with both fat distribution and fat mass.
If these metabolites represent a link between an impaired fat distribution and cardiometabolic diseases remains to be established.

Meta-Analysisn=2,350

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Metabolomics and Type 2 Diabetes Risk: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Prospective Cohort Studies

Morze J et al. • Diabetes care (2022)

Several plasma and serum metabolites, including amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, are associated with type 2 diabetes risk.

Several plasma and serum metabolites, including amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, are associated with type 2 diabetes risk.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=71,196

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CERT2 ceramide- and phospholipid-based risk score and major adverse cardiovascular events: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Papazoglou AS et al. • Journal of clinical lipidology (2022)

Pooled risk ratio (RR) of MACE among patients with CERT2=4-6 was equal to 1.35 (95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.11-1.64).

Pooled risk ratio (RR) of MACE among patients with CERT2=4-6 was equal to 1.35 (95% confidence intervals, CI: 1.11-1.64).
Patients with CERT2=7-8 had an 81% increased risk of MACE (RR=1.81, CI: 1.40-2.34), while those with CERT2=9-12 had a 165% increased risk of MACE (RR=2.65, CI: 1.85-3.80).
Subgroup analysis in patients with chronic coronary syndrome yielded an adjusted hazard ratio for MACE equal to 1.20 (CI: 1.09-1.32) per one standard deviation increase of CERT2 score.

Meta-Analysisn=26,896

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Circulating ceramides and sphingomyelins and the risk of incident cardiovascular disease among people with diabetes: the strong heart study

Jensen PN et al. • Cardiovascular diabetology (2022)

While replication of the findings from the SHS in other populations is warranted, our findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that ceramides, in particular Cer-16, not only are associated with higher diabetes risk, but may also be associated with higher CVD risk after diabetes onset.

While replication of the findings from the SHS in other populations is warranted, our findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that ceramides, in particular Cer-16, not only are associated with higher diabetes risk, but may also be associated with higher CVD risk after diabetes onset.
We also find support for the hypothesis that sphingomyelins with a very long chain saturated fatty acid are associated with lower CVD risk among adults with type 2 diabetes.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=597

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Ceramides and risk of major adverse cardiovascular events: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies

Mantovani A et al. • Journal of clinical lipidology (2020)

Higher plasma levels of Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0) and Cer(d18:1/24:1) were associated with major adverse cardiovascular events, whereas plasma levels of Cer(d18:1/22:0) and Cer(d18:1/24:0) were not.

Conversely, no association with plasma levels of Cer(d18:1/22:0) (HR 1.14 95% CI 0.88-1.47, I2 = 88%) and Cer(d18:1/24:0) (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.89-1.05, I2 = 73%) was found.
Higher plasma levels of Cer(d18:1/16:0), Cer(d18:1/18:0) and Cer(d18:1/24:1) were associated with major adverse cardiovascular events, whereas plasma levels of Cer(d18:1/22:0) and Cer(d18:1/24:0) were not.
Additional research is required to elucidate the different role of ceramides on pathways involved in cardiovascular disease.

Meta-Analysisn=29,818

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Effect of oral intake of phytoceramides on skin hydration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical studies

Tessema EN et al. • Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2021)

Oral phytoceramide supplementation significantly improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in clinical studies.

Oral phytoceramides significantly increased skin hydration measured by corneometry
Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was significantly reduced after 4-12 weeks
Both wheat-derived and rice-derived phytoceramides showed efficacy

Meta-Analysisn=542

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Lipidomics and genomics in mental health: insights into major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder

Modesti MN et al. • Lipids in health and disease (2025)

OCD was associated with sphingolipid signaling and peroxisomal metabolism.

Systematic review examining Ceramides efficacy
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Reviewn=27

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The Utility of Lipidomic Analysis in Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis-A Systematic Review of Recent Literature

Klekowski J et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2024)

Although numerous lipid species have been suggested as potential diagnostic markers, the establishment of standardized methods and the conduct of large-scale studies are necessary to facilitate their clinical application.

In tissues, lysophospholipids, ceramides, and TAGs were among the most altered lipids, while unsaturated fatty acids also emerged as potential biomarkers.
In-depth analysis requires both cell culture and animal studies.
CRC involves multiple lipid metabolism alterations.

Systematic Review

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Cytokines and Epidermal Lipid Abnormalities in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review

Upadhyay PR et al. • Cells (2023)

Considering the broad cytokine dysregulation observed in AD pathophysiology, understanding the role of each of these in lipid abnormalities and barrier dysfunction will help in developing therapeutics to best achieve barrier homeostasis in AD patients.

To better define the role of cytokines in stratum corneum lipid abnormalities related to AD, we conducted a systematic review of biomedical literature in PubMed from its inception to 5 September 2023.
Consistent with the dominant TH2 skewness seen in AD, type 2 cytokines were featured prominently as possessing a central role in epidermal lipid alterations in AD skin.
The cytokines associated with TH1 and TH17 were also identified to affect barrier lipids.

Systematic Review

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Similar Alterations of the Stratum Corneum Ceramide Profile in Atopic Dermatitis, Psoriasis, and Ichthyosis: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Rousel J et al. • The Journal of investigative dermatology (2024)

This meta-analysis examined the effects of Ceramides.

Meta-analysis examining Ceramides efficacy
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysis

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Attenuation of Atopic Dermatitis in Newborns, Infants, and Children With Prescription Treatment and Ceramide-Containing Skin Care: A Systematic Literature Review and Consensus

Schachner LA et al. • Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (2024)

Using gentle cleansers and moisturizers containing barrier lipids from birth onward may delay AD occurrence and mitigate severity in predisposed infants.J Drugs Dermatol. 2024;23(3): doi:10.36849/JDD.7894.

Systematic review examining Ceramides efficacy
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Review

DOI

The Metabolic Signature of Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Systematic Review

Carrard J et al. • Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) (2022)

Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with circulating and muscle lipidome composition.

Cardiorespiratory fitness was associated with circulating and muscle lipidome composition.
Causality of the revealed associations at the molecular species level remains to be investigated further.
Finally, included studies were heterogeneous in terms of participants' characteristics and analytical and statistical approaches.

Systematic Review

DOI

Molecular characterization of xerosis cutis: A systematic review

Amin R et al. • PloS one (2021)

An unexpectedly high number of various molecules to quantify xerosis cutis was found.

An unexpectedly high number of various molecules to quantify xerosis cutis was found.
There is substantial heterogeneity regarding molecular marker selection, tissue sampling and laboratory analyses.
Empirical evidence is also heterogeneous regarding possible associations with dry skin.

Systematic Reviewn=21

DOI

The Importance of Skincare for Neonates and Infants: An Algorithm

Schachner L et al. • Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (2021)

The current algorithm focuses on neonatal and infant healthy skin that can benefit from skincare.

The current algorithm focuses on neonatal and infant healthy skin that can benefit from skincare.
When applied from birth onwards, gentle cleansers and moisturizers containing barrier lipids help maintain the protective skin barrier.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2021;20(11):1195-1205. doi:10.36849/JDD.6219.

Systematic Review

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Associations of depression status with plasma levels of candidate lipid and amino acid metabolites: a meta-analysis of individual data from three independent samples of US postmenopausal women

Huang T et al. • Molecular psychiatry (2021)

The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.

Prevalence rates of positive depression status were 24.4% (WHI-OS), 25.7% (WHI-HT), and 44.7% (NHSII-MBS).
After multivariable adjustment, positive depression status was associated with higher levels of glutamate and PC 36 : 1/38 : 3, and lower levels of tryptophan and GABA-to-glutamate and GABA-to-glutamine ratio (FDR-p < 0.05).
Positive associations with LPE 18 : 0/18 : 1 and inverse associations with valine and serotonin were also observed, although these associations did not survive FDR adjustment.

Meta-Analysisn=121,023

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Sex-related differences in response to zinc pyrithione shampoo vs. non-anti-dandruff shampoo

Collins LZ et al. • International journal of cosmetic science (2018)

Males show a greater response than females to 1% ZnPT shampoo, while females show a greater response than males to non-AD shampoo.

Response to 1% ZnPT vs. non-AD shampoo was greater in males than in females at all time points; after 4 weeks, the between-treatment difference in TWHS-AF was -17.5 (95% confidence interval [CI] -19.5, -15.5) in males and -11.1 (-13.2, -8.9) in females.
Sex-related differences were observed between males and females in response to both 1% ZnPT and non-AD shampoos.
Males had a stronger response than females to treatment with 1% ZnPT shampoo, while dandruff decreased to a greater extent in females than in males when using non-AD shampoo.

Meta-Analysis

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Ceramide Remodeling and Risk of Cardiovascular Events and Mortality

Peterson LR et al. • Journal of the American Heart Association (2018)

The ratio of C24:0/C16:0 ceramides in blood may be a valuable new biomarker of CHD risk, HF risk, and all-cause mortality in the community.

Moreover, the C24:0/C16:0 and C22:0/C16:0 ceramide ratios were inversely associated with all-cause mortality (C24:0/C16:0: hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.56-0.65; P<0.0001; C22:0/C16:0: hazard ratio, 0.65; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.70; P<0.0001).
The ratio of C24:0/C16:0 ceramides in blood may be a valuable new biomarker of CHD risk, HF risk, and all-cause mortality in the community.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Meta-Analysisn=5,776

DOI

Ceramides and depression: A systematic review

Dinoff A et al. • Journal of affective disorders (2017)

Pharmacotherapy targeting ceramide metabolism may be a novel treatment option for depression.

Pharmacotherapy targeting ceramide metabolism may be a novel treatment option for depression.
A number of pharmacological targets exists for ceramide reduction and a number of currently approved medications inhibit ceramide production.
More evidence, pre-clinical and clinical, is warranted to determine the extent and consistency of the role of ceramides in depression.

Systematic Reviewn=14

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Lipotoxicity in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy: Molecular Basis and Emerging Therapeutic Targets

Han Y et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2026)

This review integrates mechanistic and translational evidence linking dysregulated lipid handling to DbCM and discusses the potential therapeutic strategies that target lipid abnormalities.

In DbCM, unbalanced fatty acid (FA) influx, handling, storage, and utilization initiates lipid overload, accumulation of toxic lipid intermediates (e.g., diacylglycerols and ceramides), and activation of maladaptive response.
Notably, these lipid intermediates amplify reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which serves as a critical link between lipotoxic signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction by promoting electron leak, mitochondrial damage, and activation of inflammatory and cell-death pathways.
These processes converge on adverse remodeling and contractile impairment, accelerating DbCM progression.

Systematic ReviewAI-discovered

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Unpacking the lipid-immune axis in health and disease

Raeisi M et al. • Immunology and cell biology (2026)

Finally, we also identify important knowledge gaps and will suggest avenues for future research, particularly the need for more integrated lipidomic and immunologic studies.© 2026 the Australian and New Zealand Society for Immunology, Inc.

In diseases characterized by prolonged and persistent immune activation and low-grade inflammation, such as atherosclerosis, obesity, type 2 diabetes and autoimmune diseases, impaired lipid metabolism ultimately aids this persistent state of immune activation.
Moreover, we also consider the emergent role of the lipid-immune interface in infectious disease, demonstrating ways in which pathogens can hijack or modify lipid metabolism to escape the host immune response.
We cover the potential therapeutic implications of lipid-immune interactions, noting potential strategies using statins, omega-3 fatty acids, or specialized lipid mediators, all with the objective of modulating inflammation rather than broad immunosuppression.

Systematic ReviewAI-discovered

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