EFFECTS OF POLICOSANOL ON PATIENTS WITH NON-INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS AND HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA - A PILOT-STUDY

A randomized, double-masked, 12-week, placebo controlled pilot study w as conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol 5 mg twice daily, a new cholesterol-lowering drug, in patients with n on-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and hypercholesterolemi a. After glycemic control was achieved through treatment with diet and oral hypoglycemic drugs, patients were instructed to follow a lipid-l owering diet and to discontinue all lipid-lowering drugs for 6 weeks. Subsequently, patients who met the entry criteria received policosanol or placebo tablets to be taken twice daily for 12 weeks. When compare d with baseline, policosanol significantly reduced total cholesterol b y 28.9%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 44.4%, and tot al cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio by 3 8.3% and LDL-C:HDL-C ratio by 51.6%. Significant between-group differe nces were also seen: policosanol treatment raised HDL-C levels by 23.5 % compared with placebo. Levels of triglyceride, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were not significantly changed after therapy. No patient w ithdrew from the trial because of adverse experiences. Only two patien ts, both from the placebo group, reported mild adverse experiences (ne rvousness). It is concluded that policosanol is effective and well tol erated in the treatment of patients with NIDDM and hypercholesterolemi a.