1. Introduction
toxicity, dyslipidemia
HYPERTENSION, DYSLIPIDEMIA
This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of 20 mg of Cuban policosanol in blood pressure (BP) and lipid/lipoprotein parameters of healthy Japanese subjects via a placebo-controlled, randomized, and double-blinded human trial. After 12 weeks of consumption, the policosanol group showed significantly lower BP, glycated hemoglobin (HbAPolicosanol is a mixture of aliphatic alcohols ranging from 24–34 carbon atoms [Many studies examining the molecular mechanisms for the efficacy of Cuban policosanol reported that the encapsulation of policosanol into HDL enhances the HDL functions and has anti-senescence and tissue regeneration effects by improving anti-glycation, anti-apoptosis, and cholesteryl transfer protein (CETP) inhibition [Although many studies reported the efficacy of policosanol in humans, particularly in a Korean population, there has been no study on the effects of Cuban policosanol on the lipid parameters of a Japanese population. The Japanese population shows the unique features of a higher HDL-C level than western populations, with a higher portion of those with a genetic deficiency of CETP [The current study examined the effect of policosanol consumption on the blood lipid parameters of a Japanese population; healthy Japanese subjects who had a normal blood pressure (BP) and normolipidemic (120 mg/dL < LDL < 160 mg/dL and >40 mg/dL of HDL) were recruited. The participants were randomized to consume 20 mg of policosanol or a placebo to compare the changes in BP, blood parameters, and lipid and lipoprotein parameters with a randomized and double-blinded test. After 12 weeks of consumption of policosanol or a placebo, blood was analyzed to assess the putative efficacy to improve the metabolic parameters of the heart, kidney, liver, or hidden toxicity. From the participants, HDL and LDL were purified individually, and the HDL functionality and LDL qualities, such as oxidized and glycated extent with antioxidant abilities, were analyzed.The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HDL were compared using zebrafish embryos by testing their developmental speed and survivability after injecting HDL in the presence of Zebrafish (The improvements of the quantity and quality of lipoproteins in blood are very important for evaluating the efficacy of policosanol or any nutraceutical to treat dyslipidemia and hypertension. In the current study, changes in the BP, lipid/lipoprotein parameters, and HDL functionalities were assessed after consuming Cuban policosanol for 12 weeks, using a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.