EFFECTS OF POLICOSANOL CHRONICALLY ADMINISTERED IN MALE MONKEYS (MACACA ARCTOIDES)

Policosanol, administered orally, has shown a cholesterol-lowering eff ect in different experimental models. Because lipid-lowering therapy i s administered chronically, it is necessary to know the effects of the se drugs after long-term administration. 18 adult male Macaca arctoide s monkeys were used to study the cholesterol-lowering effects and poss ible toxicity produced by oral administration of policosanol (0.25, 2. 5 and 25 mg/kg) for 54 wk. After 8 wk, a significant reduction of seru m total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observ ed in policosanol-treated animals when compared with the controls; thi s effect persisted throughout the study. The animals' behavioural repe rtoire, physical condition, haematology and blood biochemistry, as wel l as spermiogram analysis and electrocardiography, were monitored duri ng the study; ophthalmological and pathological anatomy examinations w ere performed at the end of the administration period. No drug-related toxicity was detected by any examination. The results gave further ev idence of the marked and persistent cholesterol-lowering effects of po licosanol that had been observed in different experimental models. The re was a significant reduction of spontaneous aortic atherosclerotic l esions in treated animals compared with controls. Policosanol (0.25-25 mg/kg) administered orally for 54 wk brought about a persistent reduc tion in blood cholesterol levels and was very safe and well tolerated during long-term administration.