Effects of sugarcane wax alcohols in subjects with normal or borderline serum cholesterol levels

The reduction of serum levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and total cholesterol (TC) has been shown to reduce coronary morbidity and mortality, even in subjects with normal or borderline values of serum TC. High-molecular weight sugarcane wax alcohols (SCWA) have been shown to reduce serum LDL-C and TC, and to increase high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, without substantial changes on triglycerides (TG), in both normocholesterolemic and hypercholesterolemic subjects. Nevertheless, the data supporting the effects of the dose of 10 mg/d in individuals with normal or borderline serum TC levels are relatively scarce. The aim of this randomised, double-blinded and placebo- controlled study was to confirm the efficacy and safety of SCWA (10 mg/d) in subjects with serum TC ≤ 5.9 mmol/L. Fifty five men and women (mean age: 63 years) were randomised to receive placebo or SCWA for 12 weeks. The treatment significantly reduced LDL-C (22.1 %, p < 0.000 01) and TC (11.7 %, p < 0 000 01), and increased HDL-C (9.6 %, p < 0.05) values compared with baseline and placebo. Safety indicators were not affected by therapy. Only one subject (placebo) discontinued prematurely the trial, but not because of adverse effects AE, and two subjects (one treated, one placebo) referred some AE (arthralgia) during the trial. This study confirms that SCWA (10 mg/d ) administered for 12 weeks was effective for lowering LDL-C, TC, LDL-C/HDL-C ratio and for increasing HDL-C, being safe and well tolerated in subjects with normal or borderline serum TC levels