No effect of garlic extract supplement on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
OBJECTIVE
The authors assessed the effects of an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet standardized for allicin-releasing potential on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects.


METHODS
The authors performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 136 hypercholesterolemic subjects (cholesterol concentrations > or = 5.2 mmol/L; mean age +/- SD: 47.0 +/- 6.6 yr). All subjects were given dietary advice to lower fat intake within 4 weeks and were advised to eat normally during the study period. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive an enteric-coated Thai garlic extract tablet once daily (standardized to 1.12% allicin or 5.6 mg/tablet), or placebo after the evening meal for 12 weeks. Seventy subjects (32.9% male; mean age +/- SD and BMI of 47.0 +/- 6.6 yr and 24.6 +/- 3.3 kg/m2) received the garlic extract treatment while 66 subjects (37.9% male, mean age +/- SD and BMI of 47.0 +/- 6.0 yr and 24.3 +/- 3.4 kg/m2) received placebo.


RESULTS
There were no statistically significant changes in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol after the 12-week treatment as analyzed on repeated measures by analysis of variance. In addition, no changes in plasma glucose, liver and renal functions were found.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with an enteric garlic-coated Thai garlic extract and dietary advice did not produce any significant changes in lipid levels in subjects with hypercholesterolemia.
Satitvipawee
Pratana
P
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Rawdaree
Petch
P
Indrabhakti
Saowanin
S
Ratanasuwan
Tanaporn
T
Getn-gern
Panisa
P
Viwatwongkasem
Chukiat
C
D000328:Adult; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D004220:Disulfides; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004220:Disulfides; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; C006452:allicin