Rafael Alvarez

Effects of policosanol on patients with non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia: a pilot study

Abstract A randomized, double-masked, 12-week, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of policosanol 5 mg twice daily, a new cholesterol-lowering drug, in patients with non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and hypercholesterolemia. After glycemic control was achieved through treatment with diet and oral hypoglycemic drugs, patients were instructed to follow a lipid-lowering 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 compared with baseline, policosanol significantly reduced total cholesterol by 28.9%, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 44.4%, and total cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio by 38.3% and LDL-HDL-C ratio by 51.6%. Significant between-group differences 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 withdrew from the trial because of adverse experiences. Only two patients, both from the placebo group, reported mild adverse experiences (nervousness). It is concluded that policosanol is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of patients with NIDDM, and hypercholesterolemia.

Induction of bilirubin-eliminating processes by methylphenobarbital in mature newborn babies

In order to find a drug for the prevention of metabolic hyperbilirubinemia of the newborn, which has less sedative effects than phenobarbital (PB) the effect of methylphenobarbital (MPB) on the plasma bilirubin concentration of newborns was studied in a double blind trial. MPB (3 x 10 mg/kg on the first day) reduced the plasma bilirubin level in mature newborns on day four by 33% in comparison to those on placebo. The results justify further investigations in premature babies, who frequently suffer from disturbances which may facilitate the development of bilirubin encephalopathy.