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The Colon-26 Carcinoma Tumor-bearing Mouse as a Model for the Study of Cancer Cachexia
Published on: November 30, 2016
Squalene alleviates cancer cachexia-induced muscle atrophy and adipose tissue wasting in CT26 tumor-bearing mice
Yeeun Kim1, Junhui Kang1, Sungmin Han1
1Graduate Program in Bioindustrial Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
|June 29, 2026
Summary
Squalene (SQ) combats cancer cachexia by preventing muscle and fat loss in mice. This natural compound reduces inflammation and rebalances energy, offering potential as a nutritional therapy for cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Oncology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cancer cachexia is a complex metabolic syndrome causing significant weight loss.
- It is characterized by chronic inflammation and energy imbalance, leading to muscle and adipose tissue wasting.
- Squalene (SQ), a natural triterpenoid, possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of squalene against cancer-induced skeletal muscle and adipose tissue wasting.
- To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying squalene's action in a mouse model of cancer cachexia.
Main Methods:
- CT26 colon carcinoma cells were implanted in BALB/c mice.
- Mice received oral squalene (150 or 300 mg/kg/day) or saline for 17 days.
- Muscle mass, fiber area, grip strength, inflammatory markers, protein degradation/synthesis pathways, and adipose tissue lipolysis/adipogenesis were analyzed. Molecular docking was used to assess PI3K interaction.
Main Results:
- Squalene significantly reduced body weight loss, anorexia, and tumor weight in cachectic mice.
- It preserved muscle mass, fiber size, and grip strength by inhibiting NF-κB and FOXO3a, while enhancing PI3K/Akt signaling.
- Squalene alleviated adipose tissue wasting by suppressing AMPK, reducing lipolysis and fat browning, and promoting adipogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Squalene effectively mitigates cancer-induced muscle and adipose tissue wasting in mice.
- It acts by modulating key catabolic signaling pathways involved in inflammation, protein metabolism, and lipid metabolism.
- These findings highlight squalene's potential as a nutritional intervention for managing cancer cachexia.
