Neutral ceramidase activity inhibition is involved in palmitate-induced apoptosis in INS-1 cells

Neutral ceramidase (NCDase) is a class of ceramidases, a key enzyme in ceramide degradation. Recently, it was observed that NCDase activity was suppressed by saturated fatty acids to increase ceramide content in rat muscle. However, little is known about its changes in activity and roles in palmitate (Palm)-induced lipotoxicity in pancreatic β cells. Here, we demonstrated that Palm treatment significantly down-regulated NCDase activity, mRNA and protein levels in rat INS-1 cells. In addition, Palm caused a significant accumulation of ceramide, while SPH level remained unchanged, suggesting that inhibition of NCDase activity led to no change of SPH level after treatment with Palm for 24 h. Furthermore, NCDase overexpression significantly reduced Palm-induced apoptosis in INS-1 cells. Conversely, NCDase siRNA knockdown markedly exacerbated Palm-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, Palm treatment suppressed the activity of NCDase and down-regulated its mRNA and protein expression. Furthermore, NCDase inhibition was involved in Palm-induced apoptosis by blocking ceramide degradation in INS-1 cells.