Journal of Cell Science and Mutations

Long‐term effect of policosanol on the functional recovery of non‐cardioembolic ischemic stroke patients: A one year study

Annual Congress on Cell Science, Stem Cell Research & Pharmacological Regenerative Medicine
November 29-30, 2017 | Atlanta, USA

Julio C Fernandez, Javier Sanchez, Jose Illnait, Rosa Mas, Sarahi Mendoza, Lilia Fernandez, Meilis Mesa, Hermys Vega, Pablo Reyes and Dalmer Ruiz

Center of Natural Products, Cuba Medical Surgical Research Centre, Cuba Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Cuba National Center for Scientific Research, Cuba

Posters & Accepted Abstracts : Adv cel sci tissue cul

Abstract:

Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of mortality and disability. Policosanol has been effective in brain ischemia models. Clinical studies suggested that policosanol (20 mg/ day) + standard aspirin (AS) therapy had benefits versus placebo + AS given for 6 months to patients with recent noncardioembolic ischemic stroke. The objectives of this study investigate whether policosanol, added to AS therapy within 30 days of stroke onset, is better than placebo + AS for the long-term recovery of non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke subjects. Methods: This study was randomized, double-blind, placebocontrolled. Eighty patients with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRSs) 2 to 4 were randomized, within 30 days of onset, to policosanol/AS or placebo/AS, for 12 months. The primary outcome was mRSs reduction; the secondary outcome is the increase of Barthel Index (BI). Low-density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) reduction and high-density lipoproteincholesterol (HDL-C) increase were collateral outcomes. Results: Eighty patients (mean age: 69 years) were randomized. Policosanol/AS decreased significantly mean mRSs from the first interim check-up (1.5 months) (p<0.0001 vs placebo/AS). The treatment effect did not wear off, even improved, after long-term therapy (p<0.0001 versus placebo/ AS). More policosanol/AS (35/40, 87.5%) than placebo/ AS (0/30, 0.0%) achieved mRSs ≤1 (p<0.0001). Policosanol/ AS increased significantly BI, lowered LDL-C and increased HDL-C versus placebo/AS, Treatments were well tolerated. There were 12 withdrawals, three due to fatal adverse events, all happened in the placebo/AS groups. Conclusions: Long-term (12 months) administration of policosanol/AS given after suffering non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke was shown to be better than placebo/AS in improving functional outcomes at 3 and 12 months when used among patients with non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke of moderate severity.

Biography:

Julio C Fernández is a Senior Investigator in Clinical Trials Unit, National Centre for Scientific Research, Havana city, Cuba. He has completed his BSc in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Havana University Cube in 1996. He was awarded with PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2003. He has published more than 130 publications and presented more than 100 papers in various scientific events. His research interest mainly focuses on clinical trials phase I-IV of different natural products: Policosanol, Abexol, Prevenox, Palmex.
 

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