ABSTRACT
Feeding of cholesterol-rich diet in male rabbits resulted in increased levels of cholesterol in plasma, aorta and liver and total lipids, phospholipids, free fatty acids in aorta and liver. Garlic supplementation to this diet suppressed these effects but their levels were still higher as compared to control rabbits. The plasma fibrinolytic activity which was decreased on cholesterol feeding was considerably increased when this diet was supplemented with garlic. There was increase in the activity of phospholipase in the cell-free supernatant of aorta and liver and decrease in the activity of cell-free supernatant NADH dehydrogenase of aorta when atherogenic diet was supplemented with garlic. Histopathological studies of aorta, liver and heart supported biochemical studies and indicated retardative effect of garlic on the development of atherosclerosis.
Subject(s)
Animals , Arteriosclerosis/prevention & control , Cholesterol, Dietary/administration & dosage , Garlic , Male , Plants, Medicinal , RabbitsABSTRACT
Feeding of cholesterol-rich diet to male rabbits increases collagen biosynthesis and accumulation in aorta, liver, kidney, heart and lungs. However, when garlic supplemented atherogenic diet was fed to the animals, the above effects were partially suppressed particularly in the aorta. Cholesterol content of plasma, aorta and liver, which was tremendously increased on atherogenic diet, was suppressed when garlic was included in this diet. It is suggested that garlic possibly reduced the accumulation of collagen through more mobilisation of lipids and/or decreased biosynthesis and maturation of collagen. Histopathological studies also supported this view.