title: Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation and serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in healthy volunteers.
abstract: Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with hypocholesterolemic effects demonstrated in experimental models, healthy volunteers and patients with type II hypercholesterolemia. In addition, antiplatelet effects of policosanol have been shown in experimental models and healthy volunteers. This study reports the results of a 2-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of policosanol on platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 and prostacyclin (6 keto PGF1alpha) production after stimulation with collagen in healthy volunteers. The volunteers were on a placebo-baseline period for 7 days and thereafter they received randomly, under double-blind conditions, placebo or policosanol (10 mg/day) for 15 days. Platelet aggregation was determined at baseline and after 15 days of treatment. Significant reductions of arachidonic acid and collagen-induced platelet aggregation were observed. Thromboxane, but not prostacyclin, generation induced by collagen was also inhibited by policosanol.
authors.affiliation: Center of Natural Products, CNIC, Cubanacán Habana, Cuba.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carbajal
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Arruzazabala
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Valdés
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Más
mesh_terms: D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000328:Adult; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C080710:policosanol; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D013929:Thromboxane B2; D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen; D011464:Epoprostenol