Plasma sphingolipids in patients with sickle cell disease: Multiple-site vaso-occlusive crises could be associated with lower sphingolipid levels.

Although sickle cell disease (SCD) and its manifestations have been associated with various lipid alterations, there are a few studies exploring the impact of sphingolipids in SCD. In this study, we determined plasma ceramide (Cer) and sphingomyelin (CerPCho) species and investigated their association with the crisis in SCD. SCD patients (N = 27) suffering from vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) or acute chest syndrome (ACS) were involved in this study.

Sterols in Inflammatory Diseases: Implications and Clinical Utility.

The characteristic steroid skeleton, with its 4-ringed 17-carbon structure, is one of the most recognizable organic compounds in biochemistry. In the presence of a hydroxyl ion bound to the third carbon, this structure is defined as a "sterol" (chemical formula: CHO). The hydroxyl group provides a hydrophilic site for the otherwise hydrophobic molecule, yielding an amphipathic lipid, which is a vital property for cellular function.

Decreased plasma levels of sphingolipids and total cholesterol in adult cystic fibrosis patients.

Background: Sphingolipid species in the lung epithelium have a critical role for continuity of membrane structure, vesicular transport, and cell survival. Sphingolipid species were reported to have a role in the inflammatory etiology of cystic fibrosis by previous work. The aim of the study was to investigate the levels of plasma sphingomyelin and ceramide in adult cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and compared with healthy controls.

The role of immature granulocyte percentage in predicting acute chest syndrome and the severity of the vaso-occlusive crisis in sickle cell disease.

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inflammatory disease that can result in both chronic and acute inflammation. Immature granulocytes (IG) are not-yet-mature white blood cells that can be easily detected in complete blood count (CBC) tests. In recent studies it has been suggested that IG may play a role in determining the prognosis of inflammatory diseases.