Treatment of hepatopulmonary syndrome with Allium sativum L. (garlic): a pilot trial.
No medical therapy exists for subjects with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). A patient with HPS was reported to have improvement in arterial oxygenation while self-administering garlic. Our goal was to determine whether a standardized garlic powder improves arterial oxygenation and dyspnea in subjects with HPS. A prospective, open label uncontrolled pilot study in 15 subjects with HPS were administered garlic powder capsules daily for a minimum of 6 months. Arterial blood gases were determined every 4-8 weeks, in the same position on room air, and a subjective dyspnea transition index was reported. Six of 15 subjects (40%, confidence interval: 0.15-65) had at least a 10 mmHg increase in the P(O2) or decrease in the alveolar-arterial gradient. The mean pre- and postarterial difference in these patients were: P(O2) (14+/-4 mmHg) and alveolar-arterial gradient (18+/-5 mmHg). All 6 subjects who responded to garlic had less dyspnea on exertion. Garlic improved arterial oxygenation in younger subjects (mean 40 versus 56 years old; p = 0.021) or those with lower macroaggregated albumin shunt fractions (mean 21 versus 44%, p = 0.058). Garlic may improve arterial oxygenation and symptoms in patients with hepatopulmonary syndrome and warrants further investigation.
Abrams
G A
GA
UAB Liver Center-Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294-0007, USA.
Fallon
M B
MB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002214:Capsules; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000628:therapy; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005737:Garlic; D020065:Hepatopulmonary Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D011208:Powders; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002214:Capsules; D011208:Powders; D010100:Oxygen