Protective Effect of Squalene against Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Infarction in Rats

The protective effect of squalene on membrane function and mineral status was examined in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in male albino rats. The pretreatment with squalene at 2% level along with feed significantly reduced the isoproterenol-induced rise in the levels of plasma diagnostic marker enzymes (ALT, AST, LDH and CPK). It counteracted isoproterenol-induced lipid peroxidation in plasma and heart tissue, and maintained the level of reduced glutathione in the heart tissue at near normalcy. Supplementation of squalene also exerted membrane stabilizing action against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction by maintaining the activities of membrane-bound ATPases (Na+, K+ ATPase and Ca2+ ATPase) in heart tissue and the mineral status (sodium, potassium and calcium) in plasma and heart tissue at near normal levels. The cardioprotective effect of squalene might be ascribable to its antioxidant nature and membrane stabilizing property.