Many policosanols from different sources, such as
sugar cane and rice bran, have been marketed worldwide to improve blood
lipid profiles. But so far, no comparative study has commenced elucidating the effect of different policosanols to improve the blood
lipid profile and other beneficial effects. This study compared the efficacy of four different policosanols, including one
sugar cane wax alcohol from Cuba (Raydel®) and three policosanols from China (Xi'an Natural
sugar cane, Xi'an Realin
sugar cane, and Shaanxi rice bran), to treat
dyslipidemia in hyperlipidemic zebrafish. After 12 weeks of consumption of each
policosanol (final 0.1% in diet, wt/wt) and a high-
cholesterol diet (HCD, final 4%, wt/wt), the Raydel
policosanol group and the Xi'an Natural
policosanol group showed the highest survivability, of approximately 81%. In contrast, the Xi'an Realin
policosanol and the Shaanxi
policosanol groups showed 57% and 67% survivability, respectively. Among the five HCD groups, the Raydel
policosanol group showed the lowest serum total
cholesterol (TC, p < 0.001 versus HCD control) and
triglyceride (p < 0.001 versus HCD control), with the highest percentage of
high-density lipoproteins-
cholesterol in TC. The Raydel
policosanol group also showed the lowest serum
aspartate aminotransferase and
alanine aminotransferase levels, with the least infiltration of inflammatory cells and
interleukin-6 production in hepatocytes with a marked reduction in
reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and
fatty liver changes. In the ovary, the Raydel
policosanol group also showed the highest content of mature vitellogenic oocytes with the lowest production of
reactive oxygen species and cellular apoptosis in ovarian cells. In the testes, the Raydel
policosanol group also showed the healthiest morphology for spermatogenesis, with the lowest interstitial area and
reactive oxygen species production in testicular cells. Conclusively, among the tested policosanols, Cuba (Raydel®)
policosanol exhibited a comparatively better effect in maintaining zebrafish
body weight, survivability, blood
lipid profile, hepatic function
biomarkers,
fatty liver changes, ROS generation,
inflammation, and restoration of the cell morphology in ovaries and testes affected by the HCD consumption.