| abstract |
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention or treatment of diseases or conditions involving stress injury to cells, the composition comprising (a) a lipid-containing substance having a lipid portion which is structurally identical with or analogous to a ceramide, conjugated to (b) a protein capable of binding said lipid-containing substance in such a way that, when the conjugate is contacted with living cells, the lipid-containing substance activates a ceramide-activated protein phosphatase resulting in down-regulation of cellular metabolism, and (c) a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. |