ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on describing the role of dietary gangliosides in modulation of the immune response, prevention of infection, and regulation of inflammation. It begins with an overview of the structures and most commonly used nomenclature for gangliosides, followed by a brief description of the quantification methods used. The chapter describes dietary sources of gangliosides, with special focus on milk. It also describes differences in the concentration and distribution of gangliosides between human and bovine milk, as well as information on ganglioside composition in infant formulas. The chapter presents an overview on the wide range of biological functions performed by gangliosides including both physiological and pathological settings. It mentions their role as receptors in cell-cell recognition and in lipid raft formation and maintenance. The chapter presents their implication in tumor progression and metastasis. It explains the implication of gangliosides in obesity and diabetes, followed by their anti-inflammatory role.
