[Methods and Results]: Two groups of apoE-knockout mice, separated according to sex, were fed on standard chow diet: the control group receiving only vehicle and the second group an aqueous solution of squalene to provide a dose of 1 g/kg/day for 10 weeks. At the end of this period, plasma lipid parameters, oxidative stress markers and hepatic fat were measured as well as cross-sectional lesion area of aortic root in both groups. Data showed that in males squalene feeding reduced atherosclerotic lesion area independently of plasma lipids and activation of circulating monocytes. In contrast, squalene intake did not decrease lesion area in females, despite reducing plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, isoprostane and percentage of Mac-1 expressing white cells. In males, atherosclerotic lesion area was positively and signifi cantly associated with hepatic fat content and the plasma triglycerides were also strongly associated with liver weight.

[Conclusions]: These results indicate that administration of squalene modulate lesion development in a gender specifi c manner, and that accumulation of hepatic fat by liver.

Trabajo presentado en el XXXI Congreso Sociedad Española de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular SEBBM, celebrado en Bilbao (España) el 10 de septiembre de 2008.

[Objective]: To investigate the effect of this isoprenoid on the development of atherosclerosis.