ABSTRACT
The effect of garlic supplementation on triglyceride metabolism was investigated by measurements of the degree of thermogenesis in interscapular brown adipose tissue [IBAT] and catecholamine secretion in rats fed two types of dietary fat. Rats were given isoenergetic high fat diets containing either high fat without cholesterol or high fat with cholesterol content with or without garlic powder supplementation [8g/kg of diet]. After 4 weeks feeding, body weight, plasma triglyceride level and the weight of perirenal adipose tissue and epidiymal fat pad were significantly lower in rats fed diets supplemented with garlic powder than in those fed diets withut garfic powder. The content of protein in IBAT and plasma catecholamine concentration were significantly greater in rats fed a high fat diet [with cholesterol] supplemented with garlic powder than in those fed the same diet without garlic. Other than adrenaline secretion, differences due to garlic were also significant in rats fed high fat diet without cholesterol. These results suggest that in rats, garlic powder enhance thermogenesis by increasing protein content in IBAT and catecholamine secretion