Recent data indicate that Plin2 has an important function in cell metabolism and is involved in several human pathologies, including liver steatosis and Type II diabetes.
<i>In vivo</i> ceramide reduction by inhibition of <i>de novo</i> ceramide synthesis reduced PLIN2 and hepatic steatosis in alcohol-fed mice, but only <i>de novo</i> synthesis inhibition, not sphingomyelin hydrolysis, improved glucose tolerance and dyslipidemia.