CERAMIDE DERIVATIVES FOR THE TREATMENT OF INFLAMMATION

摘要

The present invention relates to the use of: (i) a ceramide, a ceramide analogue, a phytoceramide; or (ii) a compound which is metabolisable into or otherwise capable of releasing a ceramide, a ceramide analogue or a phytoceramide; or (iii) a compound which modulates the level of endogenous ceramide as a pharmaceutically active agent in the production of a medicament for the treatment of an inflammatory disorder. The invention also relates to a method of inhibiting monocyte recruitment, and/or adhesion and/or transmigration to sites of inflammation and/or of inducing growth arrest in proliferating monocytes, comprising exposing the monocytes to a therapeutically effective amount of a ceramide, a ceramide analogue, a phytoceramide or a compound which is metabolised into or breaks down to release a ceramide, a ceramide analogue, a phytoceramide in situ, or a compound which modulates the level of ceramide as a pharmaceutically active agent.