Lack of Effect of Sugar Cane and Sunflower Seed Policosanols on Plasma Cholesterol in Rabbits

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential for a mixture of policosanol extracted from sunflower oil (SFP) to lower blood cholesterol levels in comparison to sugar cane policosanol (SCP) in rabbits.DesignTwenty three Semi-lop rabbits were blocked into three groups matched on fasting plasma cholesterol levels then randomly assigned to one of three parallel treatment arms: Control (Vehicle 28.6% sunflower oil/70% water/1.4% emulsifier) n = 7; SFP, 100 mg/kg in vehicle, n = 8; SCP, 100 mg/kg in vehicle, n = 8. Rabbits were gavaged once every two days for four weeks. Blood was collected and analysed for plasma lipids.ResultsTotal cholesterol, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol increased significantly following SCP supplementation relative to the control. SFP supplementation had no effect. Triglyceride levels decreased significantly following all dietary treatments (P ConclusionDietary supplementation of normocholesterolemic rabbits with policosanol from sunflower oil does not appear to have any cholesterol lowering effect. A similar lack of efficacy observed with the commercial SCP product which we evaluated raises doubts about the purported cholesterol-lowering efficacy of these products, as reflected in the current literature.Karen J. Murphy, David A. Saint and Peter R.C. How