Synthesis of fluorescent polyene ceramide

Filip Škarda Synthesis of fluorescent polyene ceramides Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové 2014 Ceramides are lipid compounds that belong to the sphingolipid family. These molecules play a crucial role in many biological processes e.g. they are secondary messengers during apoptosis and other cellular signaling pathways, are involved in the synthesis of sphingomyelin and play very important role in the lipid matrix of stratum corneum, which is the epidermal barrier. Recent results showed that ceramides are affecting, or are being affected by various skin diseases. In the case of atopic dermatitis, a major decrease of ceramides in the stratum corneum is observed. On the other hand, the manifestation of psoriasis or atopic dermatitis can be reduced with topically administered ceramides. The topical ceramides repair the skin lipid barrier and prevent further water loss and aggravation of the disease. The mechanism of action of topically administered ceramides has not been fully elucidated yet. This is one of the reasons why the selection of the right methodology in order to clarify the mechanism of action is crucial. One of the possibilities is the introduction of a fluorophore into the ceramide molecule. Currently, various fluorophores (NBD, Bodipy, Rhodamine) are used..