Céramides, acteurs cruciaux dans le développement de l’insulino-résistance et du diabète de type 2

• Published in: M.S. Médecine sciences Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 497 - 503
• Main Authors: Tan-Chen, Sophie, Bourron, Olivier, Hajduch, Éric
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: EDP Sciences 01.05.2020
• Subjects: Endocrinology and metabolism; Human health and pathology; Life Sciences
• ISSN: 0767-0974; 1958-5381
• DOI: 10.1051/medsci/2020091

L’insulino-résistance, qui caractérise le diabète de type 2 et l’obésité, est due à une diminution de l’action de l’insuline sur ses tissus cibles (foie, tissu adipeux, muscles squelettiques). Il est maintenant bien documenté qu’au niveau de ces tissus, l’accumulation ectopique d’acides gras, et en particulier de métabolites dérivés de ces acides gras, comme les céramides, joue un rôle crucial dans l’altération du message insulinique. Cette revue décrit le rôle majeur joué par les céramides dans le développement de l’insulino-résistance des tissus périphériques. In healthy subjects, the balance between glucose production and its usage is precisely controlled. When circulating glucose reaches a critical threshold, pancreatic β-cells secrete insulin, which has two major actions: lowering circulating glucose concentrations by facilitating its uptake mainly in skeletal muscles and the liver, and inhibiting glucose production. Triglycerides are the main source of fatty acids to meet the energy needs of oxidative tissues and any excess is stored in adipocytes. Thus, adipose tissue acts as a trap for excess fatty acids released from plasma triglycerides. When the buffering action of adipose tissue to store fatty acids is impaired, they accumulate in other tissues where they are metabolized in several lipid species, including sphingolipid derivatives such as ceramides. Numerous studies have shown that ceramides are among the most active lipid second messengers to inhibit insulin signalling. This review describes the major role played by ceramides in the development of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues.