07.11.06
Indication: Hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia
Source: JAMA, May 17, 2006;295(19):2262-2269.
Research: Researchers performed a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of 143 patients with hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia having a baseline LDL cholesterol of 150 mg/dl and either no or one cardiovascular risk factor other than known coronary heart disease, or baseline LDL-C levels of between 150 and 189 mg/dl and two or more risk factors. This open-label six-week study had a diet run-in phase followed by a double-blind 12-week treatment phase after randomization into five groups: 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/dl of policosanol or placebo.
Results: In none of the five treatment groups did LDL-C levels decrease more than 10% from baseline. Further, re-searchers found no statistically significant difference between policosanol and placebo. In none of the secondary outcome measures, namely total cholesterol, HDL-C, very low LDL, triglycerides, lipoprotein and a ratio of total or LDL-C to HDL C, were there any significant effects of policosanol. Researchers concluded that in patients with hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia, the sugar cane-derived policosanol in usual and high doses does not demonstrate a reduction in lipid levels beyond placebo.
Source: JAMA, May 17, 2006;295(19):2262-2269.
Research: Researchers performed a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group trial of 143 patients with hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia having a baseline LDL cholesterol of 150 mg/dl and either no or one cardiovascular risk factor other than known coronary heart disease, or baseline LDL-C levels of between 150 and 189 mg/dl and two or more risk factors. This open-label six-week study had a diet run-in phase followed by a double-blind 12-week treatment phase after randomization into five groups: 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/dl of policosanol or placebo.
Results: In none of the five treatment groups did LDL-C levels decrease more than 10% from baseline. Further, re-searchers found no statistically significant difference between policosanol and placebo. In none of the secondary outcome measures, namely total cholesterol, HDL-C, very low LDL, triglycerides, lipoprotein and a ratio of total or LDL-C to HDL C, were there any significant effects of policosanol. Researchers concluded that in patients with hypercholesterolemia or combined hyperlipidemia, the sugar cane-derived policosanol in usual and high doses does not demonstrate a reduction in lipid levels beyond placebo.