ABSTRACT
Policosanol is a component from main alcohol groups with long-chain which is extracted from cane sugar. In the present study, we investigated the effect of policosanol on atherosclerosis some of its biochemical risk factors in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. 24 male rabbits of New Zealand race with average weight of 1750gr were divided in to 4 group: control group[n=6] had normal diet, Sham and experimental group no.1 and no.2[n=6] had high cholesterol [2%] diet, and they received placebo and policosanol with doses of 0.25 and 0.5mg respectively, every day. After 4 weeks of treatment, blood samples were obtained and cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and HDL-C were measured. For histological studies part of aorta was dissected and fixed in formalin%10. Data were introduced into SPSS software and analyzed by variance analysis. The results showed that in experimental group no.1 there was significant decrease in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride [P<0.05], and significant increase in HDL-C [P<0.05] compared with those of control group. Also in experimental group no.2 there was a significant decrease in cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride [P<0.01] in the rate of cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride, and significant increase [P<0.01], and significant increase in HDL-C [P<0.01] compared with those of control group. Histological investigations showed treatment by policosanol in experimental group no.1 and no.2 could prevent atheroma plaque formation. policosanol can be an effective component in decreasing cholesterol, LDL-C and triglyceride and increasing HDL-C, leading to prevention of atheroma plaque formation