In the current study, inhibition of ceramide and SM biosynthesis by myriocin also was associated with improved plasma lipids (i.e. reduced ceramide, SM, total cholesterol, TG and increased HDLc) and lipoproteins (i.e. increased ApoAI, reduced both ApoB and ApoB/ApoAI ratio) and significantly protected against atherosclerosis. The gene discussed is APOB; the disease is atherosclerosis.