title: No effect of garlic extract supplement on serum lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pratana
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Satitvipawee
authors.forename: Petch
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rawdaree
authors.forename: Saowanin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Indrabhakti
authors.forename: Tanaporn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ratanasuwan
authors.forename: Panisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Getn-gern
authors.forename: Chukiat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Viwatwongkasem
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D004220:Disulfides; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; C006452:allicin