ABSTRACT
Cyclosporin A [CsA] is a potent immunosuppressive drug. However, it has adverse effects that include elevation of plasma low-density lipoprotein [LDL]. This study was designed to determine the effect of garlic on CsA-induced hyperlipidemia in male rats. Baseline serum blood samples from forty 10-month-old, male Wistar rats were obtained. They received intraperitoneal [IP] injection of CsA [25 mg/kg] for 28 days. Blood samples were again obtained after the 28-day treatment. Sixteen of 40 rats showed increased serum LDL levels. These 16 were divided into 2 groups of 8 rats each. In the first [experimental] group, 8 rats received garlic [tablets, 400 mg/d], CsA [25 mg/kg IP], and regular diet for 28 days. In the second [control] group, 8 rats received the same regimen without the garlic tablets. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken from animals in both groups, and LDL levels were assessed. The mean baseline LDL level in animals in the control group was 17.75 +/- 4.1 mg/dL. This increased to 21.5 +/- 1.6 mg/dL after 28 days of CsA administration. After 28 more days, the mean LDL level increased to 25.4 +/- 4.9 mg/dL [P=.004]. In animals in the experimental group, the baseline LDL level was 23.8 +/- 3.7 mg/dL, which increased to 31.3 +/- 1.6 mg/dL after the first 28 days [P<.001]. After the second 28 days, it decreased to 26.0 +/- 4.8 mg/dL [P=.06], and among 4 animals, the LDL level decreased more than 49%. In a Wistar rat model, animals given cyclosporin A subsequently treated with garlic demonstrated reduced LDL levels compared with controls. This treatment may be useful in patients receiving organ transplantation