Lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects of policosanol in diabetic patients: a pilot study

Resumen

Coronary artery disease is the major complication and leading cause of death among patients with diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia plays an important role in the pathogenesis and the occurrence of complications in diabetic populations. Policosanol is a mixture of high molecular weight primary aliphatic alcohols isolated and purified from sugar cane wax. The objective of this randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled pilot study was to investigate the effect of policosanol treatment on lipid profile and plasma oxidative variables in diabetic patients with hypercholesterolemia. Thirty diabetic patients of both sexes, aged 50 to 70 years were enrolled in the study. Fifteen patients were treated with policosanol (10 mg/day) and 15 with placebo for 12 weeks. Changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) values were considered the primary efficacy variable. Plasma oxidative markers were considered secondary efficacy variables. Baseline characteristics were well matched in both groups. After 12 weeks, policosanol produced significant reductions of LDL-C and total cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. Policosanol significantly decreased serum malondialdehyde and increased the plasma total antioxidant capacity. There were no significant changes in any of the variables in the placebo group. Treatments were safe and well tolerated. No patient withdrew from the study. It is concluded that policosanol treatment favorably modified lipid profile and plasma oxidative variables in diabetic patients. Further studies should expand more data on the effects of policosanol treatment in diabetic patients.