Monosialodihexosylganglioside (GM3)

GM3 (monosialodihexosylganglioside) is a type of ganglioside. The letter G refers to ganglioside, and M is for monosialic acid as it has one sialic acid only. The numbering is based on its relative mobility in electrophoresis among other monosialic gangliosides. Its structure can be condensed to NANA-Gal-Glc-ceramide. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are well known to induce insulin resistance; however, mechanisms that cause the impairement of the insulin signaling pathway have not yet been identified.

Measured whether GC-induced insulin resistance in humans is related to changes in muscle ceramide, GM3, and muscle mitochondrial function. Short-term GC treatment dose dependently impaired whole-body insulin sensitivity in healthy males, without concomitant changes in muscle ceramide, GM3, or mitochondrial function.