Effect of policosanol on platelet aggregation in type II hypercholesterolemic patients

Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug with concomitant antiplatelet ef fects proved in experimental models and healthy volunteers. This study repo rts the results of a 4-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled t rial investigating the effects of policosanol on platelet aggregation in ty pe II hypercholesterolemic patients. Patients started or continued on a ste p-one cholesterol-lowering therapy for 4 weeks and those with total cholest erol >5.2 mmol/L despite dietary conditions were randomized to receive unde r double-blind conditions placebo or policosanol (10 mg/day) for 30 days. B oth groups were similar at randomization. Effects of policosanol on platele t aggregation induced by arachidonic acid (3.2 mM), collagen (0.5-1 mu g/ml ) and ADP (0.5-1 uM) were determined at baseline and after 30 days of treat ment. Policoanol significantly reduced platelet aggregation induced by arac hidonic acid and collagen, meanwhile if only inhibited significantly the pl atelet aggregation induced by the lowest doses of ADP (0.5 uM). No adverse events occurred during the trial. Only one patient (placebo) discontinued f rom the study because of arthralgia.