Effect of Olive Oil and Squalene on Cholesterol Mobilization in the Rat. ∗

Abstract

Summary

Much higher values for serum cholesterol were observed in 2 series of female rats fed 1% cholesterol with diets containing 10% olive oil than in the series fed like diets made up with a number of other vegetable fats. Olive oil-fed males did not have high serum cholesterols, but did have high liver lipids and cholesterol. An attempt to duplicate the effect of olive oil by adding equivalent amounts of commercial squalene to diets containing 10% cottonseed oil and 10% coconut oil is reported. The squalene-fed females on diets with added cholesterol had higher serum cholesterols than did those fed cholesterol only. Values were not nearly so high as in the rats fed olive oil. Both males and females fed squalene with cholesterol and coconut oil had significantly higher liver lipids and cholesterol than did littermates fed only coconut oil and cholesterol in the same amounts. Little or no effect attributable to squalene was observed in castrates. The possible effect of squalene as a stimulant of secretion of gonadal hormones is discussed.