The effect of squalene on cellular energy and inflammation in type 2 diabetes patients

Abstract

Background: Squalene is a 30-carbon ring hydrocarbon in the triterpene class. Squalene as a bioactive compound has been shown to have several health benefits specifically in the reduction of diabetic symptoms, including anti-inflammatory effects.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to examine effect of squalene on specific parameters regarding energy production and inflammation in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus. These parameters included ATP, NAD/NADH, CoQ10, NFκB, IκB-alpha, IκK-alpha, and IκK-beta.

Methods: 150 volunteers were selected for this study split into 5 groups. Group 1 contained 30 healthy participants and served as the control. The remaining 120 participants were split into 4 groups containing 30 volunteers each. All the participants in groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 have type 2 diabetes mellitus. Group 2 did not receive any squalene while group 3, group 4, and group 5 all received an oral supplementation of squalene at 200 mg/day, 400 mg/day and 600 mg/day respectively. Participants were prescribed to take the oral supplementation of squalene for a total of 84 days. Blood samples were taken on days 1, 14, 28, 56, and 84 in five time periods. For all participants ATP, NAD/NADH, CoQ10, NFκB, IκB-α, IκK-α and IκK-β levels of all groups were evaluated.

Results: Throughout the 84 days there was a statistically significant difference when comparing the healthy group and the diabetic groups in reducing ATP, NAD/NADH and CoQ10 (P < 0.05) and increasing NFκB, IκB-α, IκK-α and IκK-β (P < 0.05). When compared, participants in groups 3, 4, and 5 also showed a statistically significant in the changes of ATP, NFκB, IκB-α, IκK-α and IκK-β levels.

Conclusions: Squalene as a bioactive compound can play an important role in reducing inflammatory mediators and increases energy production.

Keywords: squalene, diabetes mellitus, ATP production, NAD/NADH, Reactive oxygen species (ROS), CoQ10, NFκB, IkB-α, IκK-α, IκK-β