title: [Comparative effects of policosanol and two HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on type II hypercholesterolemia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Policosanol is a new cholesterol lowering agent derived from sugar cane.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the cholesterol lowering efficacy of policosanol with HMG CoA inhibitors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with a LDL cholesterol over 160 mg/dl were studied. If, after 6 weeks of diet, cholesterol persisted elevated, they were doubly blind randomized to receive policosanol 10 mg/day (55 patients), lovastatin 20 mg/day (26 patients) or simvastatin 10 mg/day (25 patients). Serum cholesterol was measured again after 8 weeks of therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Initial demographic and laboratory data were similar among treatment groups. A 24% LDL cholesterol reduction was obtained with policosanol, compared with a 22% reduction with lovastatin and a 15% reduction with simvastatin. HDL cholesterol significantly increased in patients on policosanol and did not change in the other treatment groups. Adverse effects of policosanol were mild and unspecific. No changes in hepatic enzymes were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Policosanol is a safe and effective cholesterol reducing agent.
authors.affiliation: Centro Cardiovascular Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prat
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Román
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006938:Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases
vernacular_title: Efecto comparativo de policosanol con dos inhibidores de la HMG-CoA reductasa en el tratamiento de la hipercolesterolemia tipo II.