The induction of colonocyte differentiation in CaCo-2 cells by sodium butyrate causes an increase in glucosylceramide synthesis in order to avoid apoptosis based on ceramide

To examine the relationship between apoptosis accompanying differentiation and sphingolipid-metabolism, CaCo-2 cells were used as a model of human intestinal epithelial cells and the variation in cellular Cer/GlcCer-content and related enzyme activities during butyrate-induced differentiation were investigated. The simultaneous administration of PDMP as a GlcCer synthase inhibitor caused a significant increase in the amount of Cers, especially palmitoyl-Cer. Butyrate caused an increase in the amount of GlcCers, especially α-hydroxy fatty acid–GlcCers, and in cellular GlcCer synthase activity. Cellular Cer content related to apoptosis was mainly regulated by the GlcCer synthase–based metabolism of Cers.