Deoxysphingolipids, a novel biomarker for type 2 diabetes, are cytotoxic for insulin-producing cells

Our results revealed that 1-deoxysphinganine is a cytotoxic lipid for insulin-producing cells, suggesting that the increased levels of this sphingolipid observed in diabetic patients may contribute to the reduced functionality of pancreatic ß-cells. Thus, targeting deoxy-sphingolipid synthesis may complement the currently available therapies of diabetes (Diabetes)