Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sphingolipids for the preparation of a food item, a food supplement and/or a medicament for the treatment of insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or metabolic syndrome. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a sphingolipid with the general formula (I): wherein Z is R3 or —CH(OH)—R3; A is sulphate, sulphonate, phosphate, phosphonate or —C(O)O—; R1 is H, hydroxyl, alditol, aldose, an alcohol, C1-C6 alkyl or amino acid; R2 is H or unsaturated or saturated (C1-C30) alkyl chain; R3 is unsaturated or saturated (C1-C30) alkyl chain; Q1 is a primary amine group (—NH2), secondary amine group (—NH—) or an amide group (—NH—CO—); and t is 0 or 1, or a precursor, a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of a disorder selected from the group consisting of insulin resistance, diabetes type 2 and metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cholesterol-lowering preparations, in particular to a bacterial preparation for use as a medicament for lowering of the blood cholesterol level. The present invention provides inter alia a preparation of Rhodospirillum spp. and/or Phaeospirillum with cholesterol-lowering effects, food supplements and foodstuffs comprising said preparation and methods for the preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sphingolipids for the preparation of a food item, a food supplement and/or a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus type 2 and/or Metabolic Syndrome. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a sphingolipid with the general formula (I): wherein Z is R3 or —CH(OH)—R3; A is sulphate, sulphonate, phosphate, phosphonate or —C(O)O—; R1 is H, hydroxyl, alditol, aldose, an alcohol, C1-C6 alkyl or amino acid; R2 is H or unsaturated or saturated (C1-C30) alkyl chain; R3 is unsaturated or saturated (C1-C30) alkyl chain; Q1 is a primary amine group (—NH2), secondary amine group (—NH—) or an amide group (—NH—CO—); and t is 0 or 1, or a precursor, a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of a disorder selected from the group consisting of insulin resistance, diabetes type 2 and Metabolic Syndrome.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cholesterol-lowering preparations, in particular to a bacterial preparation for use as a medicament for lowering of the blood cholesterol level. The present invention provides inter alia a preparation of Rhodospirillum spp. and/or Phaeospirillum with cholesterol-lowering effects, food supplements and foodstuffs comprising said preparation and methods for the preparation and use thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sphingolipids for the preparation of a food item, a food supplement and/or a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of hepatotoxic effects such as hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a sphingolipid with the general formula (I): wherein Z is R3 or —CH(OH)—R3; A is sulphate, isulphonate, phosphate, phosphonate or —C(O)O—; R1 is H, hydroxyl, alditol, glycosyl, an alcohol, C1-C6 alkyl or amino acid; R2 is H or unsaturated or saturated (C1-C30) alkyl chain; R3 is unsaturated or saturated (C1-C30) alkyl chain; Q1 is a primary amine group (—NH2), secondary amine group (—NH—) or an amide group (—NH—CO—); and t is 0 or 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of hepatotoxic effects such as hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-related clinical conditions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of sphingolipids, more preferably phytosphingosine, sphingosine, sphinganine, ceramide, cerebroside lyso-sphingomyelin and/or sphingomyelin for prevention and treatment of inflammatory processes associated with atherosclerosis, psoriasis, colitis or auto-immune diseases in a subject.

Abstract: A method for screening for negative side effects of a sex steroid compound or composition in a subject, by carrying out an assay on the subject or on a sample derived from the subject determining whether an increase of the compound or composition on the level of an acute phase reactant or a metabolic derivative thereof has occurred since applying the compound or composition to the subject, the acute phase reactant being selected from the group consisting of positive Acute Phase Reactants (ARPs) with the exclusion of ceruloplasmin and coagulation/thrombosis associated factors. An increase in the level of the acute phase reactant being indicative of negative side effects. A sex steroid compound or composition characterized by a lower increase in APR level than a third generation oral contraceptive, as determined in a manner according to the invention is also provided; the compound or composition not being a second generation oral contraceptive.