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Updated: Mar 27, 2026
Quantification of Atherosclerosis in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2019
Aged Garlic Extract Suppresses the Development of Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E-Knockout Mice
Naoaki Morihara1, Atsuko Hino2, Takako Yamaguchi3
1Drug Discovery Laboratory and morihara_n@wakunaga.co.jp.
Background:
Aged garlic extract (AGE) has been shown to retard the progression of coronary calcification in patients with coronary artery disease.
Objective:
To clarify the mechanism of AGE's action to retard atherosclerosis, we investigated whether AGE suppresses the formation and progression of atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E (Apoe)-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice.
Methods:
Male C57BL/6J mice (control mice, 5 wk old) were fed a standard diet, whereas male ApoE-KO mice (5 wk old) were fed a standard diet with or without 3% AGE for 12 or 24 wk. After the treatment, blood samples, aortas, and spleens were collected from all mice. Concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs) in serum were measured. The area of atherosclerotic lesion in the aorta was examined by Oil Red O staining. The relative abundances of monocytes plus macrophages (CD11b(+) cells) and interferon-γ-producing CD4(+) T cells in spleen were assessed by flow cytometric analysis.
Results:
The atherosclerotic lesion areas in the aortas of ApoE-KO mice were 87 and 114 times as great (P < 0.01) as those in control mice at 12 and 24 wk, respectively. AGE feeding significantly inhibited the progression of atherosclerotic lesion area in ApoE-KO mice by 22% (P < 0.05) at 12 wk. In addition, serum concentrations of TC and TGs in ApoE-KO mice were significantly higher than those in control mice at 12 and 24 wk. Treatment with AGE significantly suppressed the increases in serum concentrations of TC and TGs in ApoE-KO mice by 21% (P < 0.05) and 19% (P < 0.05) at 24 wk, respectively, and reduced the relative abundance of CD11b(+) cells in ApoE-KO mice by 24% (P < 0.05) at 12 wk.
Conclusion:
These data suggest that the antiatherosclerotic activity of AGE is at least partly due to the suppression of inflammation and lipid deposition in the vessels during the early stage of atherosclerotic development in ApoE-KO mice.
Insights
Aged garlic extract (AGE) reduces atherosclerosis in mice by inhibiting inflammation and lipid deposition. This study shows AGE significantly slows lesion progression and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in ApoE-knockout mice.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Nutraceuticals
- Animal Models of Atherosclerosis
Background:
- Aged garlic extract (AGE) is known to slow coronary calcification in patients with coronary artery disease.
- The precise mechanisms by which AGE exerts its anti-atherosclerotic effects require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of AGE in suppressing the formation and progression of atherosclerosis.
- To clarify the underlying mechanisms of AGE's action in a relevant animal model.
Main Methods:
- Apolipoprotein E-knockout (ApoE-KO) mice and wild-type controls were fed standard diets with or without 3% AGE for 12 or 24 weeks.
- Serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglycerides), aortic atherosclerotic lesion area, and splenic immune cell populations (monocytes/macrophages, T cells) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- ApoE-KO mice exhibited significantly larger atherosclerotic lesions compared to controls.
- AGE administration markedly inhibited lesion progression by 22% at 12 weeks and suppressed increases in serum total cholesterol and triglycerides.
- AGE treatment also reduced the relative abundance of CD11b(+) monocytes/macrophages in ApoE-KO mice.
Conclusions:
- Aged garlic extract demonstrates significant anti-atherosclerotic activity in ApoE-KO mice.
- AGE's benefits appear to stem from the suppression of vascular inflammation and lipid deposition during early atherogenesis.
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