Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the composition of the intestinal flora, to a food comprising a sphingolipid for use in such a method, to methods for the preparation of such a food and to the use of sphingolipids for the preparation of a medicine for improving the composition of the intestinal flora. More in particular, the present invention relates to a method and food in which a sphingolipid chosen from the group consisting of phytosphingosine, sphingosine, lysosphingomyelin and sphinganine, or a precursor, a derivative, or suitable salt thereof is used.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering methods and compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of sphingolipids, more preferably phytosphingosine, sphingosine, sphinganine, ceramide, cerebroside and/or sphingomyelin for lowering the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in a subject and to the use of sphingolipids as a plasma and/or serum cholesterol and triglyceride lowering agent. The invention also encompasses methods of treatment of subjects suffering from high plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as food items and supplements with increased sphingolipid levels.

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 elevated blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides related to steatosis and hepatotoxic effects of medicaments and viral infections. In particular, the invention relates to the use of a sphingolipid such as phytosphingosine, sphingosine, sphinganine, ceramide, glycosylceramide and/or sphingomyelin, or a precursor or a derivative of a sphingolipid, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the prevention and/or treatment of hepatotoxic effects such as hepatic steatosis, fibrosis and/or cirrhosis.

Abstract: A composition comprising sphingophospholipid or its degradation product and at least one non-digestible carbohydrate for providing and/or maintaining an optimal intestinal microbiota is provided. The composition is especially suitable for infant nutrition.

Abstract: A composition comprising at least two non-digestible carbohydrates for providing and/or maintaining an optimal intestinal microbiota is provided. The composition is especially suitable for infant nutrition.

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 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 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.