Ceramide galactoside of enriched neuronal and glial fractions from rat brain.

Fractions enriched in neuronal and glial cells from rat brain, as well as myelin isolated from the same brain samples, were analyzed for the composition of cholesterol, phospholipids, cerebrosides, and sulfatides. The fatty acid composition of ceramide galactoside of neurons, glia, and myelin showed significant differences. Less hydroxy fatty acids were recovered from ceramide galactoside obtained from neurons and glia when compared to ceramide galactoside from myelin. The nonhydroxy fatty acids of ceramide galactoside of the two cell types were mainly composed of palmitate and stearate while that of myelin contained longer chain homologs.