Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Assessing Neuroprotective Effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Extract Using a Transient Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Mouse Model
Published on: December 9, 2018
Garlic intake is an independent predictor of endothelial function in patients with ischemic stroke
1Division of neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, The university of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SaR, China.
Objectives:
To investigate the effects of garlic on endothelial function in patients with ischemic stroke (ISS).
Design:
Cross-sectional study.
Participants:
125 Chinese patients with prior ISS due to athero-thrombotic disease were recruited from the outpatient clinics during July 2005 to December 2006.
Measurements:
Daily allium vegetable intake (including garlic, onions, Chinese chives and shallots) was ascertained by means of a validated food frequency questionnaire for Chinese and brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured using high-resolution ultrasound in all subjects.
Results:
The mean age of the study population was 65.9±11.1 years and 69% were males. Mean allium vegetable intake and garlic intake of the study population was 7.5±12.7g/day and 2.9±8.8g/day respectively. Their mean FMD was 2.6±2.3%. Daily intake of total allium vegetable (r=0.36, P<0.01) and garlic (r=0.34, P<0.01) significantly correlated with FMD. Using the median daily allium intake as cut-off (3.37g/day), patients with a low allium intake <3.37g/day was noted to have a lower FMD compared to those with a normal allium intake (2.1±2.1% versus 3.0±2.4%, P<0.05). After adjusting for confounding factors, multi-variate analysis identified that daily allium vegetable (B=0.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.02, 0.09, P<0.01) and garlic (B=0.07, 95% confidence interval: 0.02, 0.12, P<0.01) intake, but not onions, Chinese chives and shallots were independent predictors for changes in FMD in patients with ISS.
Conclusions:
Daily garlic intake is an independent predictor of endothelial function in patients with ISS and may play a role in the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic events.
Related Concept Videos
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Ischemic Stroke l: Introduction
Ischemic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
Ischemic Heart Disease: Overview
Atherosclerosis, the primary malefactor, orchestrates this dangerous condition. It manifests as the accumulation of fatty deposits, akin to insidious plaques, within arterial walls. As time elapses, these plaques metamorphose, hardening and narrowing...
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction

