title: Anti-atherosclerotic effects of garlic preparation in freeze injury model of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the most popular substances used to reduce various risks associated with cardiovascular disease. However, little is known on the direct effects of garlic on atherosclerosis.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study we have examined the effect of per oral administration of the time-released garlic herbal preparation on serum atherogenicity and formation of intimal thickening after freeze injury in cholesterol-fed rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group 1 rabbits maintained on the standard cholesterol-rich diet served as the control. Group 2 rabbits were fed the cholesterol-rich diet and treated with garlic preparation containing 300 mg garlic powder.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Local thickening of the aortic media (i.e., the neointima formation) in the freeze injury zone was observed in all the rabbits. Regular garlic preparation therapy prevented the neointima formation and the accumulation of free and esterified cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and collagen in the neointima, the effects being statistically significant. Garlic preparation also decreased serum lipid content by 1.5-fold and lowered atherogenic activity of blood serum (ability to induce lipid accumulation in cultured cells) induced by cholesterol-rich diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results obtained indicate that garlic preparation prevents the development of cholesterol-induced experimental atherosclerosis and possesses the direct anti-atherogenic activity.
authors.affiliation: Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex, 121552 Moscow, Russia; Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 125315 Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Igor A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Sobenin
authors.affiliation: Russian Cardiology Research and Production Complex, 121552 Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Irina V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Andrianova
authors.affiliation: Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Skolkovo, 143025 Moscow Region, Russia.
authors.forename: Konstantin Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lakunin
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 125315 Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: Vasilii P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Karagodin
authors.affiliation: Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Skolkovo, 143025 Moscow Region, Russia; Faculty of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia. Electronic address: y.bobryshev@unsw.edu.au.
authors.forename: Yuri V
authors.initials: YV
authors.lastname: Bobryshev
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, 125315 Moscow, Russia; Institute for Atherosclerosis Research, Skolkovo Innovation Center, Skolkovo, 143025 Moscow Region, Russia; Department of Biophysics, Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia.
authors.forename: Alexander N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Orekhov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D011817:Rabbits; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Aorta; Atherosclerosis; Cholesterol-rich diet; Freeze injury; Garlic; Serum lipids