Cholesterol

Cholesterol

   

• Roberto
  Menendez, Rosa Mas, Ana MA, et al ( Center
  of Natural Products, National Center for scientific
  Research, Cuba).
  
  Effects
  of policosanol treatment on the susceptibility of
  low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from healthy
  volunteers to oxidative modification in vitro.
  
  Br.
  J.Cl.Pharmacol, Sept.2000; 50(3): 255-262.
  
    
  
  Summary:
  Policosanol is a mixture of higher primary aliphatic
  alcohols from sugar cane wax with cholesterol
  lowering effects, demonstrated in animal models,
  healthy volunteers and patients with type II
  hypercholesterolaemia. Oxidation of LDL cholesterol provides a link between plasma LDL-C
  and development of atherosclerosis.
  Oxidised LDL-C is taken up by macrophages
  leading to lipid filled foam cells- hall mark of
  atherosclerotic lesions.
  
    
  
  The
  study showed that policosanol administered within
  its therapeutic range, decreased susceptibility of
  LDL-C to lipid-peroxidation in vitro.
  Since policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering
  agent, additional antioxidant effect may contribute
  to reduction of atherosclerosis.