| 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-; Rl 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; Ql 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. |