Kassis Amira N, Jones Peter J H
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Montréal, Quebec, H9X 3V9, Canada.
Lipids Health Dis. 2008 Apr 30;7:17. doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-7-17.
Sugar cane policosanols (SCP) have been shown to exert cholesterol-modulating properties in various studies conducted in Cuba by substantially reducing cholesterol synthesis. Independent research examining changes in cholesterol kinetics in response to SCP is limited to few studies, none of which was able to replicate findings of the original research. Moreover, no data are available on the effect of SCP on cholesterol absorption to date. The present study was undertaken to determine effects on cholesterol kinetics, namely synthesis and absorption, within hypercholesterolemic individuals consuming a SCP treatment. Twenty-one otherwise healthy hypercholesterolemic subjects participated in a randomized double-blind crossover study where they received 10 mg/day of policosanols or a placebo incorporated in margarine as an evening snack for a period of 28 days. The last week of the study phase, subjects were given 13C labelled cholesterol and deuterated water for the measurement of cholesterol absorption and synthesis respectively. Blood was collected on the first two and last five days of the trial. Cholesterol absorption and synthesis were determined by measuring red cell cholesterol 13C and deuterium enrichment, respectively.
There was no significant change in LDL cholesterol levels as compared to control. In addition, the area under the curve for red cell cholesterol 13C enrichment across 96 hours was not significantly different in the SCP group as compared to control. Similarly, no difference was observed in the fractional rate of cholesterol synthesis over the period of 24 hours between the two treatment groups.
The findings of the present study fail to support previous research concerning efficacy and mechanism of action for policosanols.
在古巴进行的多项研究表明，甘蔗多甾醇（SCP）通过大幅降低胆固醇合成，具有调节胆固醇的特性。关于SCP对胆固醇动力学变化影响的独立研究有限，且无一能够重复原始研究的结果。此外，迄今为止尚无关于SCP对胆固醇吸收影响的数据。本研究旨在确定SCP治疗对高胆固醇血症个体胆固醇动力学（即合成和吸收）的影响。21名其他方面健康的高胆固醇血症受试者参与了一项随机双盲交叉研究，他们每天摄入10毫克多甾醇或加入人造黄油中的安慰剂作为晚间小吃，为期28天。在研究阶段的最后一周，分别给受试者服用13C标记的胆固醇和氘水，以测量胆固醇的吸收和合成。在试验的头两天和最后五天采集血液。分别通过测量红细胞胆固醇13C和氘的富集来确定胆固醇的吸收和合成。
与对照组相比，低密度脂蛋白胆固醇水平无显著变化。此外，与对照组相比，SCP组在96小时内红细胞胆固醇13C富集的曲线下面积无显著差异。同样，两个治疗组在24小时内胆固醇合成的分数率也未观察到差异。
本研究结果未能支持先前关于多甾醇疗效和作用机制的研究。
