title: Effects of allicin on cardiovascular risk factors in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allium sativum, the active ingredient in garlic, is known to have a beneficial effect on major cardiovascular risk factors, including dyslipidemia, blood pressure, blood glucose and insulin levels. However, the data on the significance of these effects are inconsistent due to methodological limitations, especially the use of whole garlic cloves which does not allow controlled dosing of the active compound.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the effects of purified allicin on the cardiovascular system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spontaneously hypertensive rats treated for 6 weeks with a daily dose of 80 mg/kg/day of purified allicin added to their chow were compared to control rats that were fed regular chow. Weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides, cholesterol, insulin and adiponectin were measured at baseline and at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Allicin had no effect on body weight whereas it reduced SBP significantly from 190 +/- 7.5 mmHg to 168 +/- 5.7 (P < 0.0001) and triglyceride levels from 96 +/- 25 mg/dl to 71 +/- 19 (P = 0.009). Allicin had no effect on plasma cholesterol, insulin and adiponectin levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Allicin lowered blood pressure and triglyceride levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats. This effect was not mediated through weight loss.
authors: Hypertension Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel. amitaiel@gmail.com
authors: Amitai
authors: A
authors: Elkayam
authors: Edna
authors: E
authors: Peleg
authors: Ehud
authors: E
authors: Grossman
authors: Zehava
authors: Z
authors: Shabtay
authors: Yehonatan
authors: Y
authors: Sharabi
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004220:Disulfides; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D000975:Antioxidants; D004220:Disulfides; D007328:Insulin; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; D014280:Triglycerides; C006452:allicin; D002784:Cholesterol