Squalene supplementation reduces cardiac injury biomarkers and blood pressure in ischemic heart disease: An open-label randomized controlled trial
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31989/bmp.v3i4.1988Abstract
Background/Objectives: Ischemic heart disease (IHD) involves chronic inflammation and myocardial stress, reflected by an increase in cardiac injury markers including creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB), Troponin I, ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) and C-reactive protein (CRP). Squalene, a natural triterpene with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may offer cardio-protection.
Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of oral squalene (300, 600, or 900 mg/day) on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), body mass index (BMI), and cardiac markers including CK-MB, CRP, IMA and Troponin I in stable IHD patients over 84 days.
Methods: 180 participants were allocated to six groups (n=30 each): healthy controls, healthy + 600 mg/day squalene, untreated IHD controls, and IHD patients receiving 300, 600, or 900 mg/day squalene. Blood samples were collected on days 1, 14, 28, 56, and 84. Markers were measured by ELISA and immuno-turbidimetric methods. Data analyzed via repeated-measures ANOVA, one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc, and t-tests (p<0.05).
Results: Squalene produced dose-dependent reductions in SBP and DBP (largest at 900 mg/day: ~14–17 mmHg SBP and ~13–16 mmHg DBP by day 84; p<0.05 vs. untreated). BMI showed modest declines. Treated groups exhibited significant dose-dependent decreases in CK-MB, CRP, IMA, and Troponin I (most pronounced at 900 mg/day, p<0.05 vs. controls at days 28–84), while untreated controls showed increases.
Conclusions: Oral squalene supplementation (particularly 300–900 mg/day for 84 days) supports blood pressure control and significantly reduces cardiac injury and inflammation in stable IHD patients, suggesting its potential as a safe adjunctive strategy.
Novelty of the Study: Squalene produced progressive, dose-dependent improvements in SBP, DBP, BMI, and all mentioned cardiac biomarkers, with the greatest reductions observed at 900 mg/day, while untreated patients showed stable or worsening values. These results highlight squalene as a promising adjunctive nutritional intervention that simultaneously targets myocardial parameters in stable IHD.
Keywords: Squalene, ischemic heart disease, cardiac biomarkers, CK-MB, Troponin I, C-reactive protein, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, inflammation, nutritional supplementation
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