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.
  
    
  
  Effects of
  5 and 10mg/day policosanol on LDL-C oxidation was
  studied in double-blind, randomised,
  placebo-controlled trial in 69 subjects. LDL-C samples were isolated at baseline and after 8 weeks and
  were subjected to in-vitro tests of LDL-C oxidation.
  
       
  
  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 anti1oxidant effect may contribute
  to reduction of atherosclerosis.