Total Cerebrosides (Brain, Porcine)

Uses

Cerebrosides (Brain) has been used:

• in the coating of coverslips for neurite outgrowth assay of retinal ganglion cells
• in reconstruction of the apical membrane of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells
• in the preparation of liposomes to mimic the MDCK cell membrane for permeability studies

General Description

The total brain cerebrosides appear as a double spot on thin layer chromatography (chloroform/methanol/water, 65:25:4 v/v). The top spot corresponds to ceresine which contain non-hydroxylated fatty acids, and the bottom spot corresponds to phrenosin which contain hydroxylated fatty acids.This Natural Lipid is a mixture and the structure shown above is only representative of one possible structure present in the product. Refer to chart for average fatty acid distribution.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Cerebrosides regulate a variety of physiological processes like cell growth, survival and multiplication. They coordinate membrane trafficking and inhibit apoptosis. Inborn metabolic disorder, Gaucher′s disease is associated with elevated levels of cerebrosides.. Additionally, cerebrosides provide structural support to the membranes and mediate intracellular communication. Accumulation of galactocerebrosides is associated with tumors. It also serves as a receptor for human immune deficiency virus (HIV) glycoprotein. The porcine cerebroside and ganglioside (CPCG) is used in treating neurotoxicity induced by the drug oxaliplatin in digestive system tumors.