Synergestic Effect of Squalene and Simvastatin on Fecal Cholesterol Excretion in Rats

In the present study an attempt was made to study the synergetic effect of squalene and simvastatin on fecal cholesterol excretion. The rats were fed with 2% squalene and/or 20 mg simvastatin for 45 days. At the end of the experimental period the feces were collected and analyzed for total lipid and total cholesterol content. It was found that the dietary supplementation of squalene at 2% level significantly (p<0.001) increased the fecal cholesterol excretion in experimental rats. The combination of squalene and simvastatin was found to be more efficient than squalene alone. Thus the results of the present study indicate that a combination of squalene and simvastatin can be efficient in cholesterol lowering than the drugs alone. It suggests that squalene a prime HMG CoA reductase inhibitor can also be used as a prudent dietary addition for individuals using similar cholesterol lowering drugs.