Abstract:
Objective: To compare the cholesterol lowering effects of red yeast rice/policosanol with placebo in hypercholesterolemic outpatients. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double blind, two-way crossover study. After informed consent and 4 week washout period, fourteen hypercholesterolemic outpatients were randomly assigned with concealed allocation to receive either red yeast rice/policosanol (each capsule 100/5 mg) 2 capsules daily or placebo 2 capsules daily for 4 weeks. Then there was a 4-week washout period followed by a crossover to the other treatment for another 4 weeks. Cholesterol lowering effects (total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglyceride and HDL-C), liver and muscle enzymes were assessed at the end of each 4-week treatment period. Results: Baseline patients characteristics were similar between two groups. (p>0.05) Red yeast rice/policosanol significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C from baseline. Total cholesterol significantly reduced from 235.14±37.77 to 213.64±30.98 mg/dL (p=0.007) and LDL-C significantly reduced from 162.09±25.97 to 139.84±22 mg/dL. (p=0.001) Triglyceride and HDL-C did not change significantly. Serial monitoring of serum hepatic transaminase and creatine kinase level revealed no significant increases in value after 4 weeks. There was also an insignificant change in blood pressure, fasting blood sugar or serum creatinine throughout the study period. Conclusion: Four-week dietary supplement with red yeast rice/policosanol at a fixed dose 200/10 mg per day significantly reduced total cholesterol and LDL-C from baseline. There was no significant difference in triglyceride and HDL-C levels compared with baseline. The dose and duration of a nutritional supplement with red yeast rice/policosanol used in this study appeared to be safe.