Squalene: Overview and Health Implications

1. Studied Conditions

Squalene has been studied for a variety of conditions, including:

• High cholesterol
• Skin conditions (as a moisturizing ingredient in cosmetics)
• Cancer prevention (due to its antioxidant properties)
• Immune system enhancement

2. Efficacy in Treating Conditions

The effectiveness of squalene in treating these conditions varies:

• There is limited evidence that squalene can help reduce cholesterol levels.
• As a skincare ingredient, squalene is effective in hydrating and protecting the skin.
• Research on cancer prevention is inconclusive and not well-established.
• Its role in immune system enhancement is still being explored, with some studies suggesting potential benefits.

3. Health Benefits

Squalene is associated with several health benefits:

• Antioxidant properties may help protect against cellular damage.
• May improve skin health by providing hydration and elasticity.
• Could potentially support the immune system.

4. Downsides

While squalene is generally considered safe, there are some potential downsides:

• Can be derived from shark liver oil, raising sustainability and ethical concerns.
• May cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some people.
• There is a lack of long-term safety data for its use in high doses or as a supplement.

5. Genetic Variations

The impact of squalene on different genetic variations has not been extensively studied. However, individual responses to squalene, like many other compounds, could potentially vary based on genetic makeup. Further research is needed to determine if squalene is particularly beneficial or harmful for any specific genetic variations.

Squalene Research Summary

Squalene Overview: Squalene is a key intermediate in the biosynthesis of cholesterol and other sterols. It is synthesized by the human body, sharks, and plants like olives and bran.

Human Skin Secretion:

Human skin secretes squalene, with secretion levels ranging from 125 to 475 mg per day. Squalene accounts for a significant portion of the skin sterols, with cholesterol being the major sterol secreted.

Dietary Squalene and Health Benefits:

A Mediterranean diet high in squalene, particularly from olive oil, is associated with reduced cancer risk. Squalene may inhibit tumor growth by blocking the enzyme HMG-COA reductase and preventing the activation of the ras oncogene, which is implicated in the development of certain cancers.

Squalene as a Cytoprotectant:

Oral squalene treatment has shown protective effects against the toxicity of cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapy drug, suggesting squalene's potential in reducing side effects of cancer treatments.

Squalene's Role in Disease Management:

Squalene has chemopreventive activity, enhances immune responses, and is being researched as an excipient for delivering vaccines and other therapeutic substances.

Metabolism and Absorption:

Dietary squalene is absorbed through the lymphatic system and processed mainly into bile acids in the liver. It enters the bloodstream faster than cholesterol and is not significantly stored in fat or muscle tissues.

Olive Oil and Cancer Prevention:

Olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fats, squalene, tocopherols, and phenolics, is a key part of the Mediterranean diet and is linked to a lower occurrence of various cancers.

Antioxidant Properties:

Squalene has potential antioxidant properties, protecting heart tissue from oxidative stress and enhancing mitochondrial function in the liver during aging.

Adjuvants in Vaccines:

Squalene is a component of some adjuvant formulations, like the MF59 squalene-oil-water emulsion, which enhance the immune response to vaccines.

Conclusion:

Research indicates squalene's diverse benefits ranging from chemoprevention and cytoprotection to enhanced immune responses and potential reduction of cholesterol levels. Further studies are necessary to fully understand its role in human health and disease management.

References:

1. Inhibitors of squalene biosynthesis and metabolism
2. In vivo studies of sterol and squalene secretion by human skin
3. Squalene, olive oil, and cancer risk. Review and hypothesis
4. Cocarcinogenic and tumor-promoting agents in tobacco carcinogenesis
5. Effect of squalene on cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity
6. Anticarcinogenic compounds of olive oil and related biomarkers
7. Sterol synthesis from biliary squalene in the jejunal mucosa of the rat in vivo
8. Vaccine adjuvants
9. Absorption and metabolic fate of dietary 3H-squalene in the rat
10. Components of olive oil and chemoprevention of colorectal cancer
11. Suppression of an ascitic rat hepatoma with cord factor and Nocardia cell wall skeleton in squalene emulsions
12. Squalene: A natural triterpene for use in disease management and therapy
13. Protective effect of dietary squalene supplementation on mitochondrial function in liver of aged rats
14. How heating affects extra virgin olive oil quality indexes and chemical composition
15. Effect of squalene on tissue defense system in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats
16. Surface lipids as multifunctional mediators of skin responses to environmental stimuli
17. An adjuvant formulation that selectively elicits the formation of antibodies of protective isotypes and of cell-mediated immunity
18. [Shark liver oil as a supporting therapy in atopic dermatitis]
19. Postabsorptive metabolism of dietary squalene
20. Sharks still intrigue cancer researchers
21. Squalene and its potential clinical uses
22. Olives and olive oil in cancer prevention
23. Triterpenoids
24. Challenges facing adjuvants for cancer immunotherapy
25. Analysis of minor components in olive oil
26. Active components and clinical applications of olive oil
27. Potentiation by squalene of the cytotoxicity of anticancer agents against cultured mammalian cells and murine tumor
28. Squalene: potential chemopreventive agent

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