Study of the effects of raw garlic consumption on the level of lipids and other blood biochemial factors in hyperlipidemic individuals

Hyperlipidemia is one of the famous disorders that can lead to atherosclerosis. Garlic has been considered as one of the blood lipids lowering agents for ages, and various studies have been carried out, some of them confirmed this effect of garlic and some did not. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of raw garlic consumption on human blood biochemical factors in hyperlipidemic individuals. This clinical trial was conducted on 30 volunteer individuals with blood cholesterol higher than 245 mg/dl. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. The volunteers consumed 5 g raw garlic twice a day for 42 days. Second fasting blood samples were collected and the individuals did not use any kind of garlic for next 42 days. After that, the third fasting blood samples were collected and the biochemical factors were measured. After 42 days of garlic consumption the mean of blood total cholesterol [p<0.001] triglycerides [p<0.01] and FBS [p<0.01] were reduced significantly, but HDL-C was increased [p<0.001] significantly. Following 42 days of no garlic consumption total cholesterol [p<0.001], triglycerides and FBS [p<0.05] were significantly increased and HDL-C [p<0.01] decreased. Garlic consumption alone can decrease serum lipids, but it cannot be used as the main therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia. Garlic can be used in mild hyperlipidemia or when the patients cannot tolerate the chemical drugs

Measurement of serum level of IgA-alpha[1]-AT complex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a severe chronic inflammatory disease that can not be easily rapidly treated. It can cause joint destruction and disability. Generally some laboratory tests, such as Rheumatoid Factor [RF], Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate [ESR] or C-Reactive Protein [CRP] can be used for diagnosis and monitoring of the rheumatoid arthritis. However, they are not always ideal. In inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, the level of IgA will increase in serum; the surplus IgA can then react with some of the serum proteins such as Alpha-1-antirypsin [alpha[1] AT] to form a non-immune complex. The complex IgA - alpha[1]AT is formed by disulfide bonding between an active thiol group available on the both proteins. Some reports suggested that this complex is a good marker for RA disease without false results, while RF test has some false negative results. In this study the level of IgA-alpha[1]AT complex in thirty seven RA patients and in forty four normal subjects by ELISA methods using anti- alpha[1] antirypsin monoclonal and anti-IgA polyclonal HRP conjugated antibodies was evaluated. Routine laboratory tests of RF, CRP and ESR in patients and controls were also investigated. Our results showed that IgA-alpha [1] AT complex level in patients [43.7 +/- 15.4] is significantly higher than controls [21.5 +/- 8.3] [p<0.05]. There were significant differences between the sera complex levels in patients and controls. The RF results revealed eleven false negatives [30%] while the level of complex had only one false result [3%]. Instead of RF, a rapid and sensitive ELISA test for IgA-alpha[1]AT complex level in RA patients is strongly recommended