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Published on: October 15, 2010

Aged garlic extract improves endothelial function in men with coronary artery disease

Michael J A Williams1, Wayne H F Sutherland, Maree P McCormick

  • 1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Phytotherapy Research : PTR
|July 26, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Aged garlic extract (AGE) improved blood vessel function in men with coronary artery disease (CAD). This antioxidant may enhance endothelial function, potentially benefiting cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Nutritional Science
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, is a predictor of coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • Oxidative stress and systemic inflammation are implicated as contributing factors to endothelial dysfunction in CAD.
  • Aged garlic extract (AGE) possesses antioxidant properties and has demonstrated potential to increase nitric oxide production and reduce inflammatory cytokine output.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of aged garlic extract (AGE) supplementation on brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in men with CAD.
  • To assess the effect of AGE on circulating markers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation.
  • To determine if AGE improves endothelial function in patients with CAD already receiving standard treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial involving 15 men with angiographically confirmed CAD.
  • Participants underwent 2-week treatment periods with AGE and placebo, separated by washout periods.
  • Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and endothelial activation were measured.

Main Results:

  • Aged garlic extract (AGE) significantly increased FMD by 44% from baseline, particularly in men with lower initial FMD.
  • FMD levels were significantly higher after AGE treatment compared to placebo, after accounting for baseline body weight variations.
  • Circulating markers of oxidant stress (oxidized LDL, peroxides), systemic inflammation (CRP, IL-6), and endothelial activation (VCAM-1) did not show significant changes.

Conclusions:

  • Short-term treatment with aged garlic extract (AGE) may improve endothelial function in men with coronary artery disease (CAD) who are concurrently treated with aspirin and statins.
  • The study suggests a potential benefit of AGE on endothelial health, although its impact on cardiovascular event risk requires further investigation.
  • Further research is needed to determine if the observed improvement in endothelial function translates to a reduced risk of future cardiovascular events.

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