IL-1beta-induced iNOS expression, NO release and loss in metabolic cell viability are resistant to inhibitors of ceramide synthase and sphingomyelinase in INS 832/13 cells.

CONTEXT Emerging evidence indicates regulatory roles for ceramide in the metabolic dysfunction of the islet beta cell. Recently, potential similarities between IL-1beta and ceramide on their effects on islet beta cell have been reported, including reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and loss in metabolic cell viability. OBJECTIVE Herein, we investigated whether IL-1beta-induced nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) expression, nitric oxide (NO) release and loss in metabolic cell viability require ceramide biosynthesis either via the activation of sphingomyelinase or ceramide synthase. SETTING Insulin-secreting INS 832/13 cells. RESULTS We found that two structurally-distinct inhibitors of sphingomyelinase activation (e.g., 3-O-methylsphingomyelin or desipramine) or ceramide biosynthesis inhibitor (e.g., fumonisin) failed to exert clear effects on IL-1beta-induced iNOS expression, NO release and loss in cell viability. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our findings indicate that neither the sphingomyelinase nor the ceramide synthase activation is required for IL-1beta-induced metabolic abnormalities in insulin-secreting INS 832/13 cells.