Research

Squalene

19 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

2
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
13
RCTs
3
Other studies
Meta-analyses (11%)
Systematic reviews (5%)
RCTs (68%)
Observational (11%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2024·Scientific reports·Mahmoud Ebrahimi, Nafiseh Farhadian, Sara Saffar Soflaei, et al

Utilizing the sublingual form of squalene in COVID-19 patients: a randomized clinical trial.

RCTn = 602Immunity

RCT investigating the efficacy of sublingual squalene in decreasing mortality and preventing re-hospitalization among COVID-19 patients. The treatment group received sublingual squalene and showed a significant decrease in mortality rate and re-hospitalization compared to the control group.

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2020·Nutrients·Nurul 'Izzah Ibrahim, Syed Fairus, Mohamed S Zulfarina, et al

The Efficacy of Squalene in Cardiovascular Disease Risk-A Systematic Review.

Systematic reviewHeart Health

Systematic review of 21 studies on squalene and cardiovascular disease, including 3 human and 18 animal studies. One human study reported a positive outcome, while others showed inconsistent or no effect. Most animal studies reported positive effects, but some showed negative or no effect.

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2019·Vaccine·Walter E P Beyer, Abraham M Palache, Leslie A Reperant, et al

Association between vaccine adjuvant effect and pre-seasonal immunity. Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised immunogenicity trials comparing squalene-adjuvanted and aqueous inactivated influenza vaccines.

Meta-analysisn = 22,470

Meta-analysis of 49 randomized trials comparing squalene-adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) to non-adjuvanted aqueous IIV in 22,470 participants. The study found that squalene-adjuvanted IIV showed higher immunogenicity, particularly in young children, with decreasing benefits as age increased. The adjuvant effect was more pronounced for influenza B than influenza A.

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2001·Vaccine·A Podda

The adjuvanted influenza vaccines with novel adjuvants: experience with the MF59-adjuvanted vaccine.

Meta-analysisn = 10,000Immunity

Meta-analysis of over 10000 elderly subjects immunised with the MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine. The study found that the adjuvanted vaccine significantly enhances the immune response compared to non-adjuvanted vaccines, particularly for A/H3N2 and B strains, without causing significant safety issues.

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2021·Nutrients·Katarzyna Zakrzewska, Katarzyna Oszajca, Wojciech Zep, et al

The Impact of Short-Term Shark Liver Oil Supplementation on the Fatty Acid Composition of Erythrocyte Membranes.

RCTInflammation Heart Health

RCT analyzing the impact of short-term shark liver oil supplementation on erythrocyte fatty acid composition in young healthy women. SLO supplementation decreased C-reactive protein levels and intracellular cholesterol, increased omega-3 index, and improved membrane fluidity index.

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2013·Vaccine·Airi Poder, Pavol Simurka, Ping Li, et al

An observer-blind, randomized, multi-center trial assessing long-term safety and immunogenicity of AS03-adjuvanted or unadjuvanted H1N1/2009 influenza vaccines in children 10-17 years of age.

RCTn = 310Immunity

This observer-blind, randomized study assessed the long-term safety and immunogenicity of AS03-adjuvanted or unadjuvanted H1N1/2009 influenza vaccines in children aged 10-17. The AS03-adjuvanted vaccines, containing alpha-tocopherol and squalene, elicited stronger HI antibody responses compared to the non-adjuvanted vaccine, meeting European regulatory criteria for immunogenicity. No safety concerns were identified.

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2021·Journal of medical virology·Mahmoud Ebrahimi, Nafiseh Farhadian, Ali Reza Amiri, et al

Evaluating the efficacy of extracted squalene from seed oil in the form of microemulsion for the treatment of COVID-19: A clinical study.

RCTn = 30

Blinded clinical trial comparing the efficacy of squalene microemulsion treatment to standard treatment in 30 COVID-19 patients. The squalene group showed significant improvements in oxygen therapy need, fever reduction, cough alleviation, and lung CT scan results compared to controls. No adverse effects were observed.

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2021·Journal of lipid research·Sudip Paul, Adam Alexander T Smith, Kevin Culham, et al

Shark liver oil supplementation enriches endogenous plasmalogens and reduces markers of dyslipidemia and inflammation.

RCTn = 10Inflammation Heart Health

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study evaluated the impact of shark liver oil supplementation on plasmalogen levels in 10 overweight or obese males. SLO supplementation increased plasmalogen levels and decreased plasma levels of total free cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein, suggesting potential protection against obesity-related dyslipidemia and inflammation.

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2019·Nutrients·Marta Gómez de Cedrón, José Moises Laparra, Viviana Loria-Kohen, et al

Tolerability and Safety of a Nutritional Supplement with Potential as Adjuvant in Colorectal Cancer Therapy: A Randomized Trial in Healthy Volunteers.

RCTn = 60Immunity Inflammation

A randomized trial in 60 healthy volunteers assessed the tolerability and safety of a nutritional supplement containing phenolic diterpenes and shark liver oil. The study confirmed the safety of the supplement by analyzing liver profile, vital constants, and oxidation markers, and observed safe immunological adaptations, suggesting potential use as a co-adjuvant in colorectal cancer therapy.

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2012·Human vaccines & immunotherapeutics·Timo Vesikari, Stéphanie Pepin, Inca Kusters, et al

Assessment of squalene adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccines against pandemic H1N1 influenza in children 6 months to 17 years of age.

RCT

Two randomized, open-label trials tested H1N1 vaccines with or without AF03, a squalene-based adjuvant, in children. All subjects 3 to 17 years reached seroprotection after the first dose of the adjuvanted vaccine. In children aged 6-35 months, antibody titers were 5 to 7 times higher after adjuvanted than non-adjuvanted vaccine, with better antibody persistence.

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2023·Nanomedicine (London, England)·Bruna Rodrigues Dias Assis, Isabela Pereira Gomes, Júlia Teixeira de Castro, et al

Quality attributes of CTVad1, a nanoemulsified adjuvant for phase I clinical trial of SpiN COVID-19 vaccine.

Study

The paper discusses the development and evaluation of CTVad1, a nanoemulsified adjuvant containing squalene, for use in the SpiN COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials. The study focuses on meeting critical quality attributes for human use and reports that CTVad1 induced high levels of antibodies and specific cellular responses.

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2016·Inflammopharmacology·A Parri, Montserrat Fitó, C F Torres, et al

Alkylglycerols reduce serum complement and plasma vascular endothelial growth factor in obese individuals.

RCTn = 26Inflammation Heart Health

Randomized controlled crossover study of 26 obese individuals testing low and high alkylglycerol (AKG) content preparations. AKGs reduced cholesterol, complement 3 and 4, and vascular endothelial growth factor, suggesting beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors.

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2009·Clinical and experimental dermatology·S Cho, C-W Choi, D H Lee, et al

High-dose squalene ingestion increases type I procollagen and decreases ultraviolet-induced DNA damage in human skin in vivo but is associated with transient adverse effects.

RCTn = 37Skin Hair Health

RCT with 40 female volunteers aged >50 years receiving 13.5 g/day or 27 g/day of squalene for 90 days. High-dose squalene significantly decreased facial wrinkles and UV-induced DNA damage, while both doses increased procollagen levels and reduced keratinocytic apoptosis. Transient loose stool was a common adverse effect.

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2005·Polski merkuriusz lekarski : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego·Tchórzewski Henryk, Głowacka Ewa, Banasik Małgorzata, et al

[The effect of alcoxyglycerols, squalene and n-3 fatty acid on some innate immunity parameters in healthy people].

RCTn = 10Immunity

RCT evaluating the effect of BioMarine 570, containing alcoxyglycerols, squalene, and n-3 fatty acids, on innate immunity parameters in 10 healthy volunteers. BioMarine intake increased C1q levels, CD4/CD8 ratio, and polarized Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion towards Th1, with no side effects noted.

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1996·Journal of clinical pharmacology·P Chan, B Tomlinson, C B Lee, et al

Effectiveness and safety of low-dose pravastatin and squalene, alone and in combination, in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia.

RCTn = 102

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study comparing the efficacy and safety of low-dose pravastatin and squalene, alone and in combination, in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia. Pravastatin was more effective than squalene in reducing cholesterol levels, but combination therapy showed greater improvements in lipid profiles than either substance alone. Adverse events were mild and transient.

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1994·The American journal of clinical nutrition·T A Miettinen, H Vanhanen

Serum concentration and metabolism of cholesterol during rapeseed oil and squalene feeding.

RCTHeart Health

The study investigated the effects of rapeseed oil with and without added squalene on serum lipids and cholesterol metabolism. Rapeseed oil reduced LDL cholesterol, while the addition of squalene increased serum cholesterol concentrations and cholesterol precursor sterols. A subsequent reduction in squalene intake normalized serum sterols.

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2017·Journal of plastic surgery and hand surgery·Edoardo Raposio, Michele P Grieco, Edoardo Caleffi

Evaluation of plasma oxidative stress, with or without antioxidant supplementation, in superficial partial thickness burn patients: a pilot study.

RCTn = 20

Pilot RCT evaluating the effect of a specific oral antioxidant supplementation on plasma oxidative stress in 20 superficial partial thickness burn patients over 2 weeks. No significant differences were found in plasma oxidants and antioxidant capacity between the supplemented and non-supplemented groups.

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2002·Experimental and molecular pathology·Pamela B Asa, Russell B Wilson, Robert F Garry

Antibodies to squalene in recipients of anthrax vaccine.

Observational

The study investigated the presence of antibodies to squalene in recipients of the anthrax vaccine, particularly those with symptoms similar to Gulf War Syndrome. It found that antibodies were associated with specific lots of the vaccine containing squalene, suggesting a link between squalene presence and antibody production.

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1999·Atherosclerosis·R A Rajaratnam, H Gylling, T A Miettinen

Serum squalene in postmenopausal women without and with coronary artery disease.

Observationaln = 55Heart Health

The study measured serum squalene levels in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease (CAD) and healthy controls. Squalene concentrations were higher in women with CAD compared to healthy controls, suggesting a potential link between squalene levels and coronary artery disease.

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