# Targeting a Ceramide Double Bond to Treat Cardiometabolic Disorders

> **NIH NIH R01** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $465,796

## Abstract

Project Summary
Overnutrition and physical inactivity promote the accumulation of sphingolipids such as ceramides which block
insulin signaling and anabolic metabolism. Implementation of pharmacological or genetic interventions to block
ceramide synthesis in rodents prevents or reverses an impressive array of metabolic pathologies (e.g. insulin
resistance, diabetes, steatohepatitis, hypertension, cardiomyopathy, and atherosclerosis). Herein we aim to
evaluate the therapeutic potential of inhibiting dihydroceramide desaturase-1 (DES1), our preferred target in the
ceramide synthesis pathway, in the treatment of insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Aims
will involve the following:
1. Evaluating the consequences of inhibiting DES1 on metabolic disorders in mice
2. Determining the mechanism by which the subtle molecular changes to ceramides caused by DES1
 inhibition alter cellular function
Findings obtained from these studies could lead to new pharmacological approaches for treating diabetes and
other cardiometabolic diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10135944
- **Project number:** 5R01DK122001-03
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT A SUMMERS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $465,796
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-15 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10135944

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10135944, Targeting a Ceramide Double Bond to Treat Cardiometabolic Disorders (5R01DK122001-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10135944. Licensed CC0.

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