Multiple functions of policosanol in elderly patients with dyslipidemia

Abstract

Objective To determine the multiple functions of policosanol in elderly dyslipidemia patients. Methodology: There were 294 elderly dyslipidemia patients enrolled into this clinical study. They were randomly divided into four groups, as follows: 20 mg policosanol (group A, n = 64); 10 mg policosanol (group B, n = 72); 20 mg atorvastatin (group C, n = 91); and 10 mg policosanol + 20 mg atorvastatin (group D, n = 62). Plasma platelet count, platelet aggregation rate, circulating endothelial cell (CEC) count, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and carotid intima–media thickness (IMT) were measured before the study (week 0) and at weeks 12, 24, and 52. Results In group A, the platelet aggregation rate caused by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) after treatment was significantly decreased compared with before treatment (48.79% ± 20.29% vs. 40.37% ± 23.56%), but the arachidonic acid (AA)-induced platelet aggregation rates were similar. The platelet aggregation rates induced by AA and ADP in groups B, C, and D did not change significantly. CEC counts and hs-CRP and homocysteine levels in all groups after treatment were significantly lower compared with before treatment, but carotid IMTs were similar. Conclusion Policosanol regulates blood lipid levels and improves endothelial cell function, and it could delay the progress of atherosclerosis. Trial registration number: ChiCTR-RRC-17013396 (retrospectively registered).

Beneficial Effect of Cuban Policosanol on Blood Pressure and Serum Lipoproteins Accompanied with Lowered Glycated Hemoglobin and Enhanced High-Density Lipoprotein Functionalities in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blinded Trial with Healthy Japanese

“…Policosanol is a mixture of aliphatic alcohols ranging from 24–34 carbon atoms [ 1 , 2 ], such as octacosanol, triacontanol, dotriacontanol, hexacosanol, and tetratriacontanol, which are purified from sugar cane ( Saccharum officinarum L.) wax [ 1 , 2 , 3 ] or various plants, such as oats [ 4 ], barley [ 5 ], insects [ 6 , 7 ], and bees wax [ 8 ]. Many policosanols from different sources have been claimed to treat blood dyslipidemia [ 9 , 10 ], diabetes [ 11 ], hypertension [ 12 , 13 ], and dementia [ 14 , 15 ] by raising the HDL-C level and lowering the LDL-C level. However, with the exception of Cuban policosanol [ 12 , 16 , 17 ], there is insufficient information on policosanol regarding its compositions and physiological effects on the lipoprotein metabolism, particularly in HDL functionality.…”

Policosanol alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating bile acids metabolism in C57BL6/mice through AMPK–FXR–TGR5 cross‐talk

“…Therefore, the intake of policosanol can be regulated by whole grains, nonpeeled fruits, or policosanol supplements. Aral administration of policosanol can significantly improve obesity and reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels, whereas no significant toxicological effect has been reported in human and mouse models (Li et al., 2020; Tian & Acevedo, 2020). As indicated from the metabolic flow analysis, after the absorption into the body, policosanol is mainly distributed in the liver tissue, followed by adipose tissue and muscle, which demonstrates that its main target tissue is liver (Kabir & Kimura, 1995).…”

Ageing process and policosanol effects

“…It has been shown that Policosanol, in addition to preventing endothelial damage, significantly reduces the thickness of the intima in rabbit arteries previously damaged by forceps [47]. The experimental results were confirmed in a double-blind, controlled clinical trial in hypercholesterolemic elderly patients, treated with policosanol, in whom a reduction in circulating endothelial cells was observed [48].…”