The effect of garl ic on plasma l ipids and lipoproteins in rats fed on high cholesterol enriched diet

Abstract

Gar l ic has been repor ted in some populat ions to posses s hypol ipdemic ef fect in par t icular on low densi ty l ipoprotein choles terol , thus prevent ing cardiovascular disease r isk. Sixteen male albino rats of seven weeks old were purchased for this study. These were
divided into four groups of four per group. Group A was fed on a high choles terol diet and gar l ic, group B was fed on high choles terol diet only, group C was fed on normal diet (cont rols ) and group D was fed on normal diet and gar l ic. The plasma l ipids, l ipoproteins and t issues his tological appearances were determined us ing standard procedures. Resul ts showed s igni f icant decreased in the mean wet t issue weight of the kidney (p<0.001) in the group fed on high Cholesterol+gar l ic diet . The plasma LDLC was markedly reduced in the groups fed on high choles terol diet + gar l ic as wel l as normal diet+gar l ic. The mean
plasma HDLC al though not s tat ist ical ly signi f icant was higher in these groups. Histological f indings showed pronounced atheromatous changes in the coronary ar tery of rats fed on high choles terol diet . The consumption of raw garlic has beneficial effect on plasma total
cholesterol, and LDLC in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.