Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols
Squalene (SQ) is a natural triterpene widely distributed in nature. It is a metabolic intermediate of the sterol biosynthetic pathway and represents a possible target in different metabolic and oxidative stress-related disorders. Growing interest has been focused on SQ’s antioxidant properties, deri...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2020-08-01
|
| Series: | Antioxidants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/8/688 |
| _version_ | 1797560532651212800 |
|---|---|
| author | Marco Micera Alfonso Botto Federica Geddo Susanna Antoniotti Cinzia Margherita Bertea Renzo Levi Maria Pia Gallo Giulia Querio |
| author_facet | Marco Micera Alfonso Botto Federica Geddo Susanna Antoniotti Cinzia Margherita Bertea Renzo Levi Maria Pia Gallo Giulia Querio |
| author_sort | Marco Micera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Squalene (SQ) is a natural triterpene widely distributed in nature. It is a metabolic intermediate of the sterol biosynthetic pathway and represents a possible target in different metabolic and oxidative stress-related disorders. Growing interest has been focused on SQ’s antioxidant properties, derived from its chemical structure. Strong evidence provided by ex vivo models underline its scavenging activity towards free radicals, whereas only a few studies have highlighted its effect in cellular models of oxidative stress. Given the role of unbalanced free radicals in both the onset and progression of several cardiovascular diseases, an in depth evaluation of SQ’s contribution to antioxidant defense mechanisms could represent a strategic approach in dealing with these pathological conditions. At present experimental results overall show a double-edged sword role of squalene in cardiovascular diseases and its function has to be better elucidated in order to establish intervention lines focused on its features. This review aims to summarize current knowledge about endogenous and exogenous sources of SQ and to point out the controversial role of SQ in cardiovascular physiology. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:00:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-47cb19150cab4037bc93432da1dc6183 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3921 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:00:53Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Antioxidants |
| spelling | doaj.art-47cb19150cab4037bc93432da1dc61832023-11-20T08:50:43ZengMDPI AGAntioxidants2076-39212020-08-019868810.3390/antiox9080688Squalene: More than a Step toward SterolsMarco Micera0Alfonso Botto1Federica Geddo2Susanna Antoniotti3Cinzia Margherita Bertea4Renzo Levi5Maria Pia Gallo6Giulia Querio7Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalyExenia Group S.r.l., 10064 Pinerolo (TO), ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalyDepartment of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, 10123 Turin, ItalySqualene (SQ) is a natural triterpene widely distributed in nature. It is a metabolic intermediate of the sterol biosynthetic pathway and represents a possible target in different metabolic and oxidative stress-related disorders. Growing interest has been focused on SQ’s antioxidant properties, derived from its chemical structure. Strong evidence provided by ex vivo models underline its scavenging activity towards free radicals, whereas only a few studies have highlighted its effect in cellular models of oxidative stress. Given the role of unbalanced free radicals in both the onset and progression of several cardiovascular diseases, an in depth evaluation of SQ’s contribution to antioxidant defense mechanisms could represent a strategic approach in dealing with these pathological conditions. At present experimental results overall show a double-edged sword role of squalene in cardiovascular diseases and its function has to be better elucidated in order to establish intervention lines focused on its features. This review aims to summarize current knowledge about endogenous and exogenous sources of SQ and to point out the controversial role of SQ in cardiovascular physiology.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/8/688squaleneoxidative stresscardiovascular diseasesantioxidantsROSRNS |
| spellingShingle | Marco Micera Alfonso Botto Federica Geddo Susanna Antoniotti Cinzia Margherita Bertea Renzo Levi Maria Pia Gallo Giulia Querio Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols Antioxidants squalene oxidative stress cardiovascular diseases antioxidants ROS RNS |
| title | Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols |
| title_full | Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols |
| title_fullStr | Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols |
| title_full_unstemmed | Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols |
| title_short | Squalene: More than a Step toward Sterols |
| title_sort | squalene more than a step toward sterols |
| topic | squalene oxidative stress cardiovascular diseases antioxidants ROS RNS |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/9/8/688 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marcomicera squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT alfonsobotto squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT federicageddo squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT susannaantoniotti squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT cinziamargheritabertea squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT renzolevi squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT mariapiagallo squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols AT giuliaquerio squalenemorethanasteptowardsterols |