title: Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in type II hypercholesterolemic patients.
abstract: Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet effects proved in experimental models and healthy volunteers. This study reports the results of a 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of policosanol on platelet aggregation in type II hypercholesterolemic patients. Patients started or continued on a step-one cholesterol-lowering therapy for 4 weeks and those with total cholesterol > 5.0 mmol/L despite dietary conditions were randomized to receive under double-blind conditions placebo or policosanol (10 mg/day) for 30 days. Both groups were similar at randomization. Effects of policosanol on platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (3.2 mM), collagen (0.5-1 microgram/ml) and ADP (0.5-1 uM) were determined at baseline and after 30 days of treatment. Policosanol significantly reduced platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid and collagen, meanwhile it only inhibited significantly the platelet aggregation induced by the lowest doses of ADP (0.5 uM). No adverse events occurred during the trial. Only one patient (placebo) discontinued from the study because of arthralgia.
authors: Center of Natural Products, National Center for Scientific Research, Havana, Cuba.
authors: M L
authors: ML
authors: Arruzazabala
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Más
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Molina
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Carbajal
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Mendoza
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Fernández
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Valdés
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016718:Arachidonic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; C080710:policosanol; D016718:Arachidonic Acid; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D003094:Collagen