[Does garlic influence rheologic properties and blood flow in progressive systemic sclerosis?].
BACKGROUND
According to traditional European naturopathy garlic is an agent that increases perfusion. In studies with healthy subjects and in-vitro research garlic has shown influences on erythrocyte and thrombocyte aggregation as well as on vasoregulation. However, data on its effects in clinical populations are still lacking. Garlic may be useful for systemic sclerosis which is characterised by impaired perfusion that often cannot sufficiently be influenced by standard treatment. We investigated if dried garlic powder can influence rheologic properties and vasomotor function in systemic sclerosis.


METHODS
During a randomised, double blind pilot study, 20 female inpatients with systemic sclerosis received a 7 day add-on therapy with either 900 mg dried garlic powder or placebo. Rheologic properties (erythrocyte aggregation, ADP-induced thromboycyte aggregation, plasma viscosity, fibrinogenous plasma level, blood sedimentation rate) were assessed initially as well as after 1 and 7 days of treatment. Vasomotor function was evaluated using near-infrared red photoplethysmography, a new diagnostic tool to assess microcirculation. Furthermore, acral skin temperature was measured.


RESULTS
After 7 days, only the verum treatment had induced a significant reduction of ADP-induced thrombocyte aggregation and a decrease in erythrocyte aggregation. Results showed no significant effects on vasomotor function, but an immediate effect of garlic on acral skin temperature.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the 'Qualitatenlehre' of traditional European naturopathy, garlic is classified as a 'heating agent'. Our results suggest that the improvement of rheologic properties could be a possible biological correlate for this. Although further research is required, we conclude garlic could be a rational add-on therapy in the 'Kaltekrankheit' ('cold disease') of systemic sclerosis.
Rapp
Alexander
A
Kompetenzzentrum Naturheilverfahren, Klinik fur Innere Medizin II, Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena, Deutschland.
Grohmann
Gerald
G
Oelzner
Peter
P
Uehleke
Bernhard
B
Uhlemann
Christine
C
D001809:Blood Viscosity / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D005737:Garlic; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011208:Powders; D012212:Rheology; D045743:Scleroderma, Diffuse / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010936:Plant Extracts; D011208:Powders