What Is a Sphingomyelin?

Sphingomyelin (sphingomyelin) is a sphingomyelin composed of C-1 hydroxyl group of ceramide with choline phosphate (or ethanolamine phosphate). Using palmitic acid and serine as raw materials, sphingosine is synthesized first, and then it is synthesized with fatty acyl CoA and choline phosphate.

Sphingomyelin is found in most

Sphingomyelin is the main component of cell membranes, and its metabolites such as

Sphingomyelin

Sphingomyelin is the second most abundant phospholipid in mammalian plasma and is found in all major lipoproteins. Up to 18% of the plasma phospholipids exist in the form of sphingomyelin. The ratio of phosphatidylcholine to sphingomyelin in different subtypes of lipoproteins varies widely. Atherosclerotic lipoproteins such as VLDL and LDL are rich in sphingomyelin. The content of sphingomyelin in atherosclerotic lesions is higher than that in normal arterial tissues. ^[1]

Inhibition of de novo synthesis of sphingomyelin significantly inhibits atherosclerosis. The possible mechanisms are:

Reducing the sphingomyelin content in atherogenic lipoprotein can reduce its aggregation in the aorta;

Reducing the levels of sphingomyelin in cells (especially macrophages) and membrane lipid rafts can reduce inflammatory responses, promote cholesterol outflow, and prevent atherosclerosis. ^[1]