Squalene feeding in experimental atherosclerosis.

The hydrocarbon squalene, which has been suggested as a precursor in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, was fed to rabbits to see whether cholesterol thus synthesized would be efficacious in producing atheromatous lesions. Rabbits on a 3 per cent squalene diet for seven weeks showed an increase in liver weight and liver nonsaponifiable material but no more atheroma than did controls. Animals on the same diet for 14 weeks showed an increase in the cholesterol-rich lipoproteins as determined in the ultraeentrifuge. Addition of squalene in no way altered the atherogenic propensities of the cholesterol diet.