Satellite symposiumInternational Garlic Research

Abstract: The reports of the satellite symposium »International Garlic Research« presented recent results of garlic research. Pharmacological investigations showed that the vessel-dilatating effect of garlic powder extracts, allicin and ajoen is mediated by opening K+-channels and by membrane hyperpolarization. It could be shown that garlic powder directly affects cholesterol-accumulation by LDL and that there exists an inverse correlation between LDL-atherogenicity and sialic acid content of LDL. By garlic powder in hyperlipidemic patients the decreased sialic acid level could be normalized. Garlic constituents influence cholesterol biosynthesis on several levels. With respect to the late steps of cholesterol biosynthesis the inhibition of lanosterol 14-demethylase by allicin and ajoene was most important. Garlic also influences nitric oxide metabolism by increasing the blood levels of NO. Insufficient synthesis of NO in the blood may result in hypertension, angina pectoris and impotentia. A metaanalysis of clinical trials with garlic powder preparations proves their effects on blood pressure and lipid levels. A comparative trials of the effects of garlic powder and garlic oil has shown, that powder preparations have a stronger lipidlowering effect than oil-preparations, while blood pressure is affected by powder preparations only.Another study showed that supplementation of a fish oil medication with garlic abolishes the fish-oil-induced increase of LDL-cholesterol levels and lowers the LDL-cholesterol levels. Finally the preliminary evaluation of an epidemiological study indicates that there are hints of a decreased stiffness of the aorta in humans with regular intake of a garlic powder preparation while another trial reveals a significant reduction of the extention of atheromateous plaques by garlic powder.

Keyword(s): Garlic

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