Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-lj6df Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T04:31:58.845Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Effects of a policosanol supplement on serum lipid concentrations in hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 March 2007

A. Greyling ,
C De Witt ,
W Oosthuizen  and
J. C. Jerling
A. Greyling
Affiliation:
School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), South Africa
C De Witt
Affiliation:
School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), South Africa
W Oosthuizen
Affiliation:
School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), South Africa
J. C. Jerling*
Affiliation:
School of Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), South Africa
*
*Corresponding author: Professor J. C. Jerling, fax +27 18 299 2464, email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Policosanol is a mixture of higher aliphatic primary alcohols that is extracted from purified sugar cane wax or a variety of other plant sources, and has been shown to have beneficial effects on serum lipid concentrations. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a policosanol supplement (Octa-60) on lipid profiles of hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects. Nineteen hypercholesterolaemic and familial hypercholesterolaemic subjects completed this randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. The subjects received either a daily dose of 20 mg policosanol or placebo for 12 weeks. After a wash-out period of 4 weeks, the interventions were crossed over. Lipid levels were measured at baseline and at the end of each intervention period. No significant differences in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol from baseline to end or between policosanol and placebo were seen in the hypercholesterolaemic or familial hypercholesterolaemic groups. There were small reductions in total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol from baseline to end in the hypercholesterolaemic group, but these changes did not differ significantly from the changes with the placebo, indicating that the observed decrease in cholesterol in the policosanol group was not due to the specific effect of policosanol treatment. The differences in response may be ascribed to the differences in composition of the higher aliphatic primary alcohols in the previously used products, compared with the local policosanol supplement. An intake of 20 mg/d policosanol for 12 weeks had no significant effect on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolaemic and heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemic patients when compared with placebo intake.

Keywords

PolicosanolLipidsCholesterolFamilial hypercholesterolaemia
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 95 , Issue 5 , May 2006 , pp. 968 - 975
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 2006

References

Aleman, CL, Castanome>Mas, R, Hernandez, C, Rodeiro, I, Cerejido, E, Noa, M, Capote, A, Menendez, R, Amor, A & Fraga, VA 12-month study of policosanol oral toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats Toxicol Lett 1994 70, 77–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Aleman, CL, Puig, MN, Elias, EC, Ortega, CH, Guerra, IR, Ferreiro, RM & Brinis, FCarcinogenicity of policosanol in mice: an 18-month study. Food Chem Toxicol. 1995 33 573578.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Aneiros, E, Mas, R, Calderon, B, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L, Castano, G & Fernandez, JCEffect of policosanol in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1995 56, 176–182.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Arruzazabala, ML, Carbajal, D, Mas, R, Molina, V, Valdes, S & Laguna, ACholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol in rabbits. Biol Res 1994 27, 205–208.Google ScholarPubMed
Batista, J, Stusser, R, Saez, F & Perez, BEffect of policosanol on hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease in middle-aged patients.A 14-month pilot study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 1996 34, 134–137.Google ScholarPubMed
Benitez, M, Romero, C, Mas, R, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCA comparative study of policosanol versus pravastatin in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1997 58, 859–867.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Canetti, MM, Moreira, M, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCEffects of policosanol on primary hypercholesterolemia:a 3-year open-extension follow-up. Curr Ther Res. 1997 58, 868–875.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Canetti, M, Moreira, M, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L, Fernandez, J, Diaz, E & Castano, GA two-year study on the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients with type II hyperlipoproteinaemia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1995 15, 159–165.Google Scholar
Castano, G, Canetti, M, Moreira, M, Tula, L, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L, Fernandez, JC & Diaz, EEfficacy and tolerability of policosanol in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a 12-month study. Curr Ther Res 1995a 56, 819–828.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Fernandez, L, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Fernandez, J, Mesa, M, Alvarez, E & Lezcay, MComparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of original policosanol versus other mixtures of higher aliphatic primary alcohols in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2002a 22, 55–66.Google ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Fernandez, L, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Mesa, M & Fernandez, JCComparison of the effects of policosanol and atorvastatin on lipid profile and platelet aggregation in patients with dyslipidaemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Clin Drug Invest 2003a 23, 639–650.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Mas, R, Arruzazabala, ML, Noa, M, Illnait, J, Fernandez, JC, Molina, V & Menendez, Affects of policosanol and pravastatin on lipid profile, platelet aggregation and endothelemia in older hypercholesterolemic patients. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999a 19, 105–116.Google Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Cesar Fernandez, J, Pontigas, V, Suazo, M & Fernandez, LOpen-label study of the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of policosanol in patients with high global coronary risk. Curr Ther Res 1998 59, 737–745.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, JC, Fernandez, L, Alvarez, E & Lezcay, MEfficacy and tolerability of policosanol compared with lovastatin in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and concomitant coronary risk factors. Curr Ther Res 2000a 61, 137–146.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, JC, Fernandez, L, Illnait, J & Lopez, EEffects of policosanol on older patients with hypertension and type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs RD 2002b 3, 159–172.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, L, Fernandez, JC, Illnait, J, Lopez, LE & Alvarez, EEffects of policosanol on postmenopausal women with type II hypercholesterolemia. Gynecol Endocrinol 2000b 14, 187–195.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, JC & Illnait, JComparative effects of two once-daily regimens of policosanol in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1997 58, 154–162.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, JC, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L & Alvarez, EEffects of policosanol in older patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and high coronary risk. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2001a 56, M186–M192.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, L, Illnait, J, Gamez, R & Alvarez, EEffects of policosanol 20 versus 40 mg/day in the treatment of patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a 6-month double-blind study. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2001b 21, 43–57.Google ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, L, Illnait, J, Gamez, R & Fernandez, JCComparison of two regimens of policosanol administered at 20 mg/d in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Curr Ther Res 2001c 62, 194–208.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, L, Illnait, J, Hernandez, E, Fernandez, JC, Gamez, R, Gutierrez, C & Alvarez, EA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in adolescents with type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 2002c 63, 286–303.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, L, Illnait, J, Mesa, M, Alvarez, E & Lezcay, MComparison of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol with atorvastatin in elderly patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia. Drugs Aging 2003b 20, 153–163.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, JC, Lopez, LE & Fernandez, LA long-term, open-label study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in patients with high global coronary risk. Curr Ther Res 1999b 60, 379–391.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Fernandez, J, Lopez, E, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L & Mesa, MEffects of policosanol on borderline to mildly elevated serum total cholesterol levels: a prospective, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, comparative study. Curr Ther Res 2003c 64, 522–537.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Mas, R, Nodarse, M, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCOne-year study of the efficacy and safety of policosanol (5 mg twice daily) in the treatment of type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1995b 56, 296–304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Castano, G, Menendez, R, Mas, R, Amor, A, Fernandez, JL, Gonzalez, RL, Lezcay, M & Alvarez, EEffects of policosanol and lovastatin on lipid profile and lipid peroxidation in patients with dyslipidemia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2002d 22, 89–99.Google ScholarPubMed
Castano, G, Tula, L, Canetti, M, Morera, M, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCEffects of policosanol in hypertensive patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1996 57, 691–699.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Civeira, FGuidelines for the diagnosis and management of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis 2004 173, 55–68.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crespo, N, Alvarez, R, Mas, R, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCffects of policosanol on patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia: a pilot study. Curr Ther Res 1997 58, 44–51.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Crespo, N, Illnait, J, Mas, R, Fernandez, L, Fernandez, J & Castano, GComparative study of the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol and lovastatin in patients with hypercholesterolemia and noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus.. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1999 19, 117–127.Google ScholarPubMed
Fernandez, JC, Mas, R, Castano, G, Menendez, R, Amor, AM, Gonzalez, RM & Alvarez, EComparison of the efficacy, safety and tolerability of policosanol versus fluvastatin in elderly hypercholesterolaemic women. Clin Drug Investig 2001 21, 103–113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fernandez, L, Mas, R, Illnait, J & Fernandez, JC, Policosanol: results of a postmarketing surveillance study of 27,879 patients. Curr Ther Res 1998 59, 717–722.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Friedewald, WT, Levy, RI & Fredrickson, DSEstimation of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma, without use of the preparative ultracentrifuge. Clin Chem 1972 18, 499–502.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gamez, R, Aleman, CL, Mas, R, Noa, M, Rodeiro, I, Garcia, H, Hernandez, C, Menendez, R & Aguilar, CA 6-month study on the toxicity of high doses of policosanol orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats. J Med Food 2001 4, 57–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gouni-Berthold, I & Berthold, HKPolicosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002 143, 356–365.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hargrove, JL, Greenspan, P & Hartle, DKNutritional signifi-cance and metabolism of very long chain fatty alcohols and acids from dietary waxes. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2004 229, 215–226.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Janikula, MPolicosanol: a new treatment for cardiovascular disease?. Altern Med Rev 2002 7, 203–217.Google ScholarPubMed
Lin, Y, Rudrum, M, van der Wielen, RP, Trautwein, EA, McNeill, G, Sierksma, A & Meijer, GWWheat germ policosanol failed to lower plasma cholesterol in subjects with normal to mildly elevated cholesterol concentrations. Metabolism 2004 53, 1309–1314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McNamara, DJCardiovascular disease.In:Modern nutrition in healthand disease.pp.1533–1544 [Shils, ME, Olson, JA and Shike, Meditors]. Philodelphia: Lea and Febiger. 1994Google Scholar
Marcello, S, Gladstein, J, Tesone, P & Mas, REffects of bezafi- brate plus policosanol or placebo in patients with combined dyslipidemia: a pilot study. Curr Ther Res 2000 61, 346–357.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Margetts, B & Nelson, MDesign Concepts in Nutritional Epidemiology,2nd edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1997CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mas, RPolicosanol. Hypolipidemic antioxidant treatment of atherosclerosis. Drugs Future 2000 25, 569–586.Google Scholar
Mas, R, Castano, G, Fernandez, L, Illnait, J, Fernandez, J & Alvarez, EEffects of policosanol on lipid profile and cardiac events in older hypercholesterolaemic patients with coronary disease. Clin Drug Invest 2001 21, 485–497.Google Scholar
Mas, R, Castano, G, Illnait, J, Fernandez, L, Fernandez, J, Aleman, C, Pontigas, V & Lescay, MEffects of policosanol in patients with type II hypercholesterolemia and additional coronary risk factors. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999a 65, 439–447.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mas, R, Rivas, P, Izquierdo, JE, Hernandez, R, Fernandez, L, Fernandez, J, Orta, SD, Illnait, J & Ricardo, YPharmacoepidemiologic study of policosanol. Curr Ther Res 1999b 60, 458–467.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Menendez, R, Amor, AM, Gonzalez, RM, Fraga, V & Mas, REffect of policosanol on the hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis of normocholesterolemic rats. Biol Res 1996 29, 253–257.Google ScholarPubMed
Menendez, R, Amor, AM, Rodeiro, I, Gonzalez, RM, Gonzalez, PC, Alfonso, JL & Mas, RPolicosanol modulates HMG-CoA reductase activity in cultured fibroblasts. Arch Med Res 2001 32, 8–12.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Menendez, R, Arruzazabala, L, Mas, R.et al. Cholesterollowering effect of policosanol on rabbits with hypercholesterolaemia induced by a wheat starch-casein diet. Br J Nutr 1997 77, 923–932.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Menendez, R, Fernandez, SI, Del Rio, A, Gonzalez, RM, Fraga, V, Amor, AM & Mas, RMPolicosanol inhibits cholesterol biosynthesis and enhances low density lipoprotein processing in cultured human fibroblasts. Biol Res 1994 27, 199–203.Google ScholarPubMed
Mirkin, A, Mas, R, Martinto, M, Boccanera, R, .et al. Efficacy and tolerability of policosanol in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 2001 21, 31–41.Google ScholarPubMed
Murphy, KJ, Saint, DA & Howe, PRLack of effect of sugar cane and sunflower seed policosanols on plasma cholesterol in rabbits. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2004 13, S69.Google Scholar
Ortensi, G, Julio, G, Hector, V & Pedro, ATA comparative study of policosanol versus simvastatin in elderly patients with hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1997 58, 390–401.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pappu, AS & Illingworth, DRThe effects of lovastatin and simvastatin on the diurnal periodicity of plasma mevalonate concentrations in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. Atherosclerosis 2002 165, 137–144.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pons, P, Illnait, J, Mas, R, Rodriguez, M, Aleman, C, Cesar Fernandez, J, Fernandez, L & Martin, Mcomparative study of policosanol versus probucol in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Curr Ther Res 1997 58, 26–35.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pons, P, Rodriguez, M, Robaina, C, Illnait, J, Mas, R, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCEffects of successive dose increases of policosanol on the lipid profile of patients with type II hypercholesterolaemia and tolerability to treatment. Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 1994 14, 27–33.Google ScholarPubMed
Rodriguez, MD & Garcia, HTeratogenic and reproductive studies of policosanol in the rat and rabbit. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1994 14, 107–113.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rodriguez, MD & Garcia, HEvaluation of peri- and post-natal toxicity of Policosanol in rats. Teratog Carcinog Mutagen 1998 18, 1–7.3.0.CO;2-K>CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Rodriguez-Echenique, C, Mesa, R, Mas, R, Noa, M, Menendez, R, Gonzalez, RM, Amor, AM, Fraga, V, Sotolongo, V & Laguna, AEffects of policosanol chronically administered in male monkeys (Macaca arctoides). Food Chem Toxicol 1994 32, 565–575.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sauvage Nolting, PR, Defesche, JC, Buirma, RJ, Hutten, BA, Lansberg, PJ & Kastelein, JJPrevalence and significance of cardiovascular risk factors in a large cohort of patients with familial hypercholesterolaemia. J Intern Med 2003 253, 161–168.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siavoshian, S, Simoneau, C, Maugeais, P, Marks, L, Rodary, L, Gardette, J & Krempf, MMeasurement of mevalonic acid in human urine by bench top gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Clin Chim Acta 1995 243, 129–136.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Torres, O, Agramonte, AJ, Illnait, J, Mas Ferreiro, R, Fernandez, L & Fernandez, JCTreatment of hypercholesterolemia in NIDDM with policosanol. Diabetes Care 397 1995 18, 393–.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Varady, KA, Wang, Y & Jones, PJHRole of policosanols in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Nutr Rev 2003 61, 376–383.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, YW, Jones, PJH, Pischel, I & Fairow, CEffects of policosanols and phytosterols on lipid levels and cholesterol biosynthesis in hamsters. Lipids 2003 38, 165–170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed